WTO Negotiations

It seems that there is a great deal of synchronicity between the global economy and the Doha trade talks. Both of them were in their nadir last summer and now both of them seem to have found their green shoots. Of course, there may be a plethora of explanations why

From an editorial: Big developing countries have been reluctant to reduce tariff ceilings, allowing themselves the option to increase their tariffs at any moment. They have been unwilling to open service sectors, like accounting or electricity generation, to foreign competition. They insist on being able to increase their barriers to

From the WSJ: Our suggestion is to launch a Crisis Round of trade talks at the G-20 London summit meeting next month. This round would aim to hold the line on protectionism and prevent the deterioration of current levels of global trade openness. For this round to have timely

Robert Wolfe explains how the Special Safeguard Mechanism brought down the latest attempt to move the Doha round forward : The July 2008 attempt by a group of ministers to agree on modalities for the WTO's Doha Round broke down in part because they could not agree on a

I've heard some talk about pushing forward with the Doha Round, so as to have it close to done by the time Obama takes office.  However, based on the following two articles from today, it seems to me that not much has changed  Compare this: French Foreign Trade

Robert Baldwin proposes a solution to the SSM stalemate.  As I understand it, he suggests that an increase in imports by itself should not be enough to trigger the safeguard.  Rather, you should look at the level of import consumption as well, and only impose the safeguard when import consumption

In the latest round of the finger-pointing game since the breakdown of the trade talks in Geneva, the WHO emerged as the winner. According to a recent report in BNA's International Trade Daily, the WHO's Commission on Social Determinants of Health blamed trade liberalization for

Ed Gresser says: The Geneva talks, therefore, ended in failure -- but one that disguised broadening areas of consensus and growing demands for a speedy conclusion to the talks. At a time of generalized worry -- high energy prices, food spikes, inflation and slowing growth -- this is a rare good omen for

Some people are now blaming Pascal Lamy for the recent failure to conclude the Doha Round: Observers say a big share of the blame for the failure should also be borne by Lamy, for he convened the mini-ministerial when even he was doubtful about its success. I'm

Tue Jul 29, 2008 1:17pm EDT GENEVA (Reuters) – “Marathon talks on a new wave of trade liberalization collapsed on Tuesday after nine days of intense but ultimately fruitless negotiations.” More soon.