Archive - 2005 - Article

October 27th

G33 Proposal on the Special Safeguard Mechanism in Agriculture

26 October, 2005
G33 proposal in the agriculture negotiations, on the Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM) for use by developing countries to protect against import surges.

Arbitratror issues second award on Banana dispute

26 October, 2005
The WTO issued the second award of the arbitrator regarding the European Communities' implementation of the waiver granted by the Doha Ministerial Conference in relation to its banana regime

Trade growth in 2005 to slow from record 2004 pace

26 October, 2005
Lower economic output will slow world trade growth in 2005, according to WTO annual publication International Trade Statistics released on 27 October 2005.

EC benchmark proposals

26 October, 2005
EC proposal as regards the benchmarks.

European NGO statement: 12 key demands to the EU in the run-up to the 6th WTO Ministerial Conference

26 October, 2005
The statement has been signed by 35 groups from over 30 countries representing development, environment, gender, fair trade and religious groups as well as farmers, trade union related groups and research groups.

Chirac will block Doha before cuts in farm aid

26 October, 2005
Mr Chirac used the Hampton Court summit to fire a warning shot across the bows of Peter Mandelson, EU trade commissioner, who will today present a new European offer on agriculture to help break the deadlock in the Doha world trade talks.

October 26th

Agriculture: ACP Group proposes lower tariff cuts for developing countries

25 October, 2005
The African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of countries in the WTO on Friday 21 October submitted a proposal on market access inagriculture, with its own set of thresholds in the tariff reduction formula for developed and developing countries, and with suggested tariff reduction rates for developing countries.

EU trade talks undermined as sugar reform blocked

25 October, 2005
Further troubles for Brussels' negotiating position in worldwide trade liberalisation talks emerged on Tuesday (25 October), as 11 member states reaffirmed their opposition against a commission-proposed sugar reform.

October 25th

New agriculture proposals by G20 and Australia

24 October, 2005
Links to several G20 papers on elements of the agriculture negotiations plus a proposal by Australia on Sensitive Products

Canadian criticism strains relations with U.S.

24 October, 2005
Perceived slights and misunderstandings are normal features of the United States' relationship with Canada. But Canadians and outside experts say Ottawa's view of Washington now is as strained and combative as anyone can remember.