Archive - 2005

December 16th

EU Blocks Decision on End Date For Export Subsidies at WTO Ministerial

15 December, 2005
The European Union stood firm Dec. 16 in resisting demands from key trading partners for an agreement at the World Trade Organization's Hong Kong ministerial conference on an end date for the elimination of export subsidies

Revealing the Empty Promises of the U.S. Development Package ?Pledges? Announced at Hong Kong

15 December, 2005
detailed, footnoted take out of US development package proposal demonstrating why it is of no value and poses significant risks

IBON challenges new 'G-120' in the WTO

15 December, 2005
Philippine-based think-tank IBON Foundation challenges the governments of the new underdeveloped country alliance to genuinely assert poor countries

Focus: On the Road to Hong Kong (Number 8, 16 December 2005)

15 December, 2005
Day four of the Ministerial had many ups, downs and roundabouts

Frustration builds at WTO talks as EU and US stand firm

15 December, 2005
The European Union and the United States stuck to their guns at the WTO talks, with both sides repeating demands for concessions on key issues as frustration grew over the lack of progress.

Signs of progress emerge on duty-free, quota-free LDC access

15 December, 2005
Members of the World Trade Organization seemed to be making some progress on an initiative to help the world's poorest countries on the third day of the Hong Kong ministerial, where the U.S. has come under intense pressure to provide duty-free, quota-free access to all products from least-developed countries

Pascal Lamy and the Sorcerer?s Box

15 December, 2005
Press statement: A large group of farmers movements and NGO

Problems multiply and talks unravel at WTO ministerial 3rd day

15 December, 2005
The WTO Ministerial Conference seemed on the verge of unravelling after its third day, with many developing countries voicing opposition to the services part of the draft Declaration, and positions in non-agricultural market access being even more apart than before.

Mandelson charges US hiding behind 'smokescreen' on cotton subsidies

15 December, 2005
The United States is hiding behind a 'gigantic great smokescreen' in a bid to dodge its duty to cotton farmers in Africa, European Union trade chief Peter Mandelson charged at WTO talks that continue in Hong Kong.

Lamy Sets Morning Deadline For Amendments To Declaration Text

15 December, 2005
World Trade Organization Director General Pascal Lamy has set a 6 a.m. Dec. 17 deadline for members to offer proposals for amending a Hong Kong ministerial declaration to further define the goals for the Doha round.