Some observations
1. Suspending equal treatment (MFN) does not in itself raise trade barriers. Unlike in the US where tariffs automatically go to another list, this allows the EU to set new tariffs or other measures. That has to happen too.
1/2
1. Suspending equal treatment (MFN) does not in itself raise trade barriers. Unlike in the US where tariffs automatically go to another list, this allows the EU to set new tariffs or other measures. That has to happen too.
1/2
https://twitter.com/VDombrovskis/status/1503642533989163012
2. In practice some trade measures taken against Russia already violate MFN. So this is a gesture.
3. Note security exceptions plural. So services and intellectual property too.
4. WTO members cannot unilaterally suspend Belarus's accession. But they can block it.
2/2
3. Note security exceptions plural. So services and intellectual property too.
4. WTO members cannot unilaterally suspend Belarus's accession. But they can block it.
2/2
Note: this⬇️ says "together with other WTO members." It's only some WTO members (unclear if more than G7+EU), and it's unilateral by each. Not a decision of the WTO membership.
We need to keep this stuff in perspective.
europa.eu/!3GQ6jG
We need to keep this stuff in perspective.
europa.eu/!3GQ6jG
Today’s statement in the WTO on Russian “aggression” identifies the “other WTO members”⬆️:
Albania, Australia, Canada*, EU, Iceland, Japan*, S.Korea, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, N.Macedonia, Norway, UK*, US*
* = G7 incl. France, Germany, Italy
1/4 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
Albania, Australia, Canada*, EU, Iceland, Japan*, S.Korea, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, N.Macedonia, Norway, UK*, US*
* = G7 incl. France, Germany, Italy
1/4 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
How this is being interpreted by the countries making the statement seems to vary.
The statement says “such as the suspension of most-favoured-nation treatment to PRODUCTS and SERVICES of the Russian Federation”.
Essentially each country decides.
2/4 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
The statement says “such as the suspension of most-favoured-nation treatment to PRODUCTS and SERVICES of the Russian Federation”.
Essentially each country decides.
2/4 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
For example, the UK only mentions tariffs (one aspect of goods trade), not anything else on goods, nor services
3/4
3/4
https://twitter.com/SimonManleyFCDO/status/1503713473225756691?s=20&t=EQnusqjUmqu4gh1g8dWhdQ
The part on Belarus:
This group cannot decide on behalf of the whole membership that Belarus’s talks on joining the WTO are suspended.
They “consider” the talks to be suspended and they will not participate.
That probably blocks the talks. But …?
4/4 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
This group cannot decide on behalf of the whole membership that Belarus’s talks on joining the WTO are suspended.
They “consider” the talks to be suspended and they will not participate.
That probably blocks the talks. But …?
4/4 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
Russia’s reply⬇️, a list of complaints:
•violation of WTO rules
•expulsion not in WTO rules
•risk of vicious circle of sanctions and retaliation and paralysing the WTO
•introducing territoriality and politics instead of focusing on economics
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
•violation of WTO rules
•expulsion not in WTO rules
•risk of vicious circle of sanctions and retaliation and paralysing the WTO
•introducing territoriality and politics instead of focusing on economics
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages/S…
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