WHY THE US PROPOSAL (WT/GC/W/764) WILL AFFECT ALL DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND UNDERMINE THE MULTILATERAL SYSTEM
US’ recent submissions to the WTO attempt to fundamentally change the concept of Special and Differential Treatment (S&D) at the WTO from an unconditional right for all developing countries to conditioned concessions available to only a few. This will affect developing countries and undermine the multilateral trading system!
Title: Discussions on the Appellate Body crisis at the WTO
Date and Time: Wednesday, 28th November, 2018
Venue: South Centre, Geneva
Organizer: The South Centre
Title: Negotiation Dynamics of the WTO – An Insider’s Account by Mohan Kumar
Date and Time: Thursday, 15 November 2018, 17:00-19:00
Venue: Julius Nyerere Room, The South Centre, Geneva
Organizers: South Centre, Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS)
Title: Working Lunch on Agriculture (Export competition)
Date and Time: Friday, 9th November 2018, 13:00-15:00
Venue: South Centre, Geneva
Organizer: The South Centre
Title: African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States Refresher: WTO Agriculture Negotiations
Date: 17 October 2018
Venue: WTO Room XX, William Rappard Centre, Geneva, Switzerland
Title: Brexit and WTO
Date: 15 October 2018
Venue: The South Centre, Geneva
Organizer: The South Centre
Title: Meeting on Agricultural Market Access
Date and Time: Monday, 8th October 2018, 15:00-18:00
Venue: World Trade Organisation, Geneva
Organizer: African Group
Title: Intellectual Property and Health: The Use of TRIPS Flexibilities to Achieve SDGs
Date and Time: 2 October 2018, 11:30-13:00
Venue: Room S1, The World Trade Organization (WTO), Geneva
Organizer: The South Centre
Title: Meeting on E-Commerce, the Digital Economy and WTO
Date and Time: 5 October 2018, 1-5.30 PM
Venue: South Centre, Geneva
Organizer: The South Centre, Centre for WTO Studies and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
Title: Meeting to Discuss Proposals and Ideas Some Have Floated on ‘WTO Reform’
Date and Time: 19 September 2018, 1-4.30 PM
Venue: South Centre, Geneva
Organizer: The South Centre
US Claims under Special Section 301 against China Undermine the Credibility of the WTO
By Nirmalya Syam and Dr. Carlos M. Correa
The US action to place China in the Special 301 ‘Priority Watch List’ is unjustified and in contravention to the WTO rules. The claims made against China are based on standards self-determined by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), not on international standards. This is an example of a systemic problem that requires a concerted response. WTO members should unite to firmly oppose the imposition of unilateral measures that undermine the multilateral trading system and the credibility of WTO as a ruled-based institution.
US’ Section 301 Actions: Why They are Illegitimate and Misguided
By Aileen Kwa and Peter Lunenborg
This research paper examines the US’ Section 301 unilateral actions against China, stemming from the US’ concerns over China’s ambitious industrial policies and its rapid technological advancements. It outlines the accusations of the US regarding China’s conditions for technology transfer and what the US sees as overly intrusive Chinese government involvement in investments. It looks in detail at why the US’ actions are in fact illegitimate and misguided. (more…)
