IBTimes Australia : WTO Topic

China threatens own trade action if EU opens telecoms case

Fri, 17 May 2013 00:21:02 +1000

China threatened on Thursday to retaliate if the European Union formally opens an investigation into alleged anti-competitive behavior by Chinese mobile telecom equipment companies.

Analysis: UK trade may struggle to stand still after EU exit

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:21:01 +1000

As British Prime Minister David Cameron struggles to accommodate euroskeptics in his own party, trade experts warn that quitting the European Union would force Britain not just to rework trade relations with the EU, but also with the EU's trade partners and probably the World Trade Organization.

Despite winning top world trade job, even Brazil looks beyond WTO

Sat, 11 May 2013 02:28:02 +1000

Brazil campaigned hard to get the top job at the World Trade Organization this week but behind closed doors even it acknowledges that the WTO's main mission - pushing forward in global trade talks - looks for the moment like a lost cause.

Brazil's Azevedo becomes first Latin American to head WTO

Wed, 08 May 2013 08:42:02 +1000

Brazil's Roberto Azevedo has won the race to become the next head of the World Trade Organization, the first candidate from the BRICS club of emerging economies to take the job.

Brazil's Azevedo wins race to head WTO

Wed, 08 May 2013 06:42:02 +1000

Brazil's Roberto Azevedo has won the race to become the next head of the World Trade Organization, the first candidate from the BRIC club of emerging economies to take the job.

Brazil's Azevedo to be next WTO chief: source

Wed, 08 May 2013 03:14:02 +1000

Roberto Azevedo, a Brazilian trade diplomat, will be the next head of the World Trade Organization, a diplomatic source said on Tuesday after the results of the race to succeed France's Pascal Lamy in the job were revealed in a confidential meeting.

The Energy Report - Offsetting Risks

Tue, 07 May 2013 22:35:30 +1000

Oil prices swung back and forth like a juiced up yo-yo as it tried to balance rising geo-political risk as well as economic risks. The attack on Hezbollah in Syria killed some elite Syrian troops and Syria and Iran are vowing retaliation. Israel is trying to calm Syria down by saying that Hezbollah, not Syria, was their intended target and the Syrian troops just got in the way.

Stalemated world trade body nears choice for new leader

Sun, 05 May 2013 16:00:05 +1000

The World Trade Organization has overseen a 12-year stalemate in global trade talks. On Wednesday, it will decide whether an insider or an outsider is better placed to break the deadlock.

Brazil WTO hopeful brushes off protectionist complaints

Thu, 02 May 2013 01:42:02 +1000

Brazil's candidate to head the World Trade Organization brushed off criticism from rich nations that his country is growing more protectionist, saying he will be a neutral negotiator of global trade frictions if he gets the job this month.

India Questions US Green Energy Incentives at WTO

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 16:19:46 +1000

India hit back at U.S. accusations of trade restrictions in its solar industry on Wednesday, suggesting Washington was guilty of the banned practices, in a move that may deepen divides between giants of the developing and developed world.

Global business group prods WTO to reach customs deal this year

Thu, 18 Apr 2013 05:21:02 +1000

An international business group is urging World Trade Organization members to strike a deal to simplify global customs procedures at a trade ministers meeting in Bali in December to prove the WTO is still a force for trade liberalization.

U.S. to rap European Union over compliance in Airbus subsidy dispute

Wed, 17 Apr 2013 02:14:03 +1000

The United States and European Union are set to lock horns again over aircraft subsidies in the latest round of a record trade dispute involving Airbus and Boeing .

U.S. warns WTO global trade talks "hurtling towards irrelevance"

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 23:35:02 +1000

The United States launched a blistering attack on fellow World Trade Organization member states on Thursday for failing to do more to cut global barriers to trade, criticizing India in particular for trying to introduce a "massive new loophole".

EU seeks new anti-dumping trade powers with China in mind

Thu, 11 Apr 2013 04:28:02 +1000

The European Union's trade chief Karel De Gucht asked for broad new trade powers on Wednesday to make it easier to launch anti-dumping cases, particularly against China.

WTO cuts 2013 trade forecast after record slow growth in 2012

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:00:04 +1000

The World Trade Organization slashed its forecast for global trade growth in 2013 to 3.3 percent from 4.5 percent on Wednesday and said 2012 saw only a 2.0 percent increase, the smallest annual rise since records began in 1981.

Canada ready for Canadian $1 billion sanctions against U.S. over labels

Wed, 10 Apr 2013 07:14:03 +1000

Canada is prepared to impose sanctions of up to C$1 billion ($980 million) a year against the United States unless it complies with a WTO order to redesign its meat labels, Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz said on Tuesday.

Green Groups Urge US to Back off Indian Solar Trade Case

Fri, 05 Apr 2013 14:45:06 +1100

U.S. environmental groups are pressing President Barack Obama's administration to back off a World Trade Organization case against India they say threatens the ability of the world's second most populous country to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

U.S. law to restrict government purchases of Chinese IT equipment

Thu, 28 Mar 2013 08:14:02 +1100

Congress quietly tucked in a new cyber-espionage review process for U.S. government technology purchases into the funding law signed this week by President Barack Obama, reflecting growing U.S. concern over Chinese cyber attacks.

Enchanting Hong Kong Business Story Continues

Mon, 18 Mar 2013 11:55:56 +1100

Existing rankings of the best and easiest places to do business are created, namely, for those who seek the opportunity of expanding their businesses but they are not sure where exactly to do it and which place gives countless opportunities to earn money, just to say it in the simplest way.

Exclusive: China wealth fund, Commerce Ministry to get new heads - sources

Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:35:01 +1100

China will likely appoint savvy international dealmakers to run its giant sovereign wealth fund and Commerce Ministry in a soft power push to soothe fears over a planned spending spree to boost Beijing's ownership of strategic global assets.

Analysis: Italian firms innovate to fight recession

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 22:42:02 +1100

Bioplastics group Mossi & Ghisolfi has hired 50 people a year for the last five years - not bad when Italy's unemployment has risen steadily to a 13-year high above 11 percent.

Germany wants comprehensive EU-U.S. free trade deal: minister

Sun, 17 Feb 2013 23:49:02 +1100

German Economy Minister Philipp Roesler wants the European Union and the United States to reach a comprehensive transatlantic free trade agreement rather than settle for the limited deal some southern EU nations favor.

U.S. must be more reasonable at Doha table: Mexico WTO candidate

Thu, 14 Feb 2013 11:35:02 +1100

Global trade talks are in crisis and private companies in the United States urgently need to pressure their government back to the negotiating table, Mexico's candidate to head the World Trade Organization said on Wednesday.

Russian car recycling levy shreds free-trade hopes

Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:28:02 +1100

A giant mechanical claw reaches down, grabs a small brown car and swings it into the maw of a huge shredder. Within minutes, the Soviet-era Moskvich saloon is spat out as a pile of twisted metal.

New Group Seeks to Save Near-Lawless Oceans from Over-Fishing

Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:37:22 +1100

The high seas that cover almost half the Earth's surface are a treasure trove with little legal protection from growing threats such as over-fishing and climate change, according to a new international group of politicians.

US Challenges India at WTO Over Alleged Protectionism of Solar Products

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 17:38:50 +1100

The US lodges complaint against India at the WTO over alleged discrimination to American solar products.

US Challenges India's Solar Program Restrictions at WTO

Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:11:17 +1100

The United States on Wednesday filed a challenge with the World Trade Organization over elements of India's national solar program, which it said discriminates against foreign solar products in violation of a core global trade rule.

China trade surplus with U.S. may be a quarter smaller

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 22:28:02 +1100

China's trade surplus with the United States shrinks by a quarter when calculated according to which countries provide the parts and services that go into its exports and imports.

OECD/WTO trade study slims China's surplus with U.S

Wed, 16 Jan 2013 20:14:02 +1100

China's trade surplus with the United States shrinks by a quarter when calculated according to which countries provide the parts and services that go into its exports and imports.

Is WTO about to abandon dream of global free trade?

Mon, 14 Jan 2013 01:28:02 +1100

As it seeks a new chief to lead it out of a negotiating death-spiral, the World Trade Organization looks doomed to be fatally undermined by new global carve-ups that will leave many of the world's poorest sidelined.