Brazil seeks to join Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft

The Committee on Trade in Civil Aircraft discussed (10 October) the process for reviewing Brazil’s application to join the WTO’s plurilateral Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft. This is the first accession request to be reviewed by WTO members in this Committee. All recently acceding members took part in negotiations in the context of their accession to the WTO.

Colombia initiates appeal arbitration in frozen fries dispute, discloses panel report

Colombia has initiated arbitration proceedings under Article 25 of the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU) to review the findings of a WTO dispute panel in “Colombia — Anti-Dumping Duties on Frozen Fries from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands” (DS591). The notice of appeal was circulated to WTO members on 10 October. In addition, Colombia and the European Union, the complainant in the dispute, agreed to make public the panel findings.

India launches safeguard investigation on “PVC suspension resins with residual VCM above 2 PPM”

On 11 October 2022, India notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it initiated on 16 September 2022 a safeguard investigation on Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) Suspension Resins with Residual Vinyl Chloride Monomer (RVCM) above 2 PPM.

Members accept third Korean-US request for more time to settle washers safeguard dispute

WTO members agreed at a special meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 5 October to give the Republic of Korea and the United States further time to discuss a possible settlement in the dispute initiated by Korea regarding a US safeguard measure on large residential washers.

Members discuss extending MC12 TRIPS Decision to COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics

WTO members advanced discussions on whether to extend the TRIPS Decision adopted in June at the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference to COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics. At a meeting of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) on 12-13 October, the chair of the Council, Ambassador Dr Lansana Gberie of Sierra Leone, urged delegations to submit text-based proposals indicating how they envisage an agreed outcome on this issue with a view to helping members reach a decision by the prescribed 17 December deadline.

WTO: Members seek to advance transparency decision for non-preferential rules of origin

WTO members have agreed to ask the chair of the Committee on Rules of Origin to consult with delegations and propose a way forward on an initiative aimed at enhancing transparency regarding non-preferential rules of origin. The decision was made at a committee meeting on 13 October.

WTO to hold Trade and Environment Week on 17-21 October

The WTO is organizing the third edition of Trade and Environment Week, which will take place from 17 to 21 October at the WTO’s headquarters in Geneva and virtually. The event will feature 17 sessions organized by WTO member governments, the WTO Secretariat, and non-governmental organizations, with the week beginning and ending with meetings of the WTO’s Committee on Trade and Environment. All sessions are open to the public upon registration.

WTO members discuss implementation of Information Technology Agreement, new IT developments

Participants in the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement (ITA) met on 11 October to discuss implementation issues relating to the ITA. They also underlined the importance of engaging with the private sector to learn about technological advances and to keep WTO rules up to date.

WTO, WCO publication looks at how new technologies can assist cross-border trade

A joint publication entitled “Study Report on Disruptive Technologies” was launched by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretary-General Kunio Mikuriya at a virtual event today (3 October). The publication reviews how so-called disruptive technologies, such as blockchain, the Internet of Things, artificial intelligence and machine learning, can help to improve the conduct of international trade and border management.

WTO Panel rules against Colombia’s anti-dumping duties on frozen fries in line with EU’s claims

The EU welcomes the WTO ruling that confirms that the anti-dumping duties imposed by Colombia on frozen fries from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands are in breach of WTO rules and unfairly restrict access to the Colombian market for EU producers. The Panel decided that Colombia’s anti-dumping investigation was flawed in several respects, including the calculation of the dumping margin and the injury analysis.  The panel report has been appealed by Colombia pursuant to the Multi-party Interim Appeal Arbitration arrangement ('MPIA') and this appeal is currently pending. This is the first appeal to be heard under the MPIA. The MPIA has been put in place by its participating Members to ensure a functioning two-tier WTO dispute settlement system for their trade disputes despite the paralysis of the WTO’s Appellate Body. The EU believes that this decision, if confirmed on appeal, will serve as a signal to other countries intending to limit the EU exports of frozen fries, or any other product, that anti-dumping investigations need to be carried out in full respect of the WTO rules.

Virtual workshop on import licensing and notifications concludes

A total of 71 government officials from developing and least-developed countries (LDCs) attended the WTO Workshop on Import Licensing and Notifications held virtually in English and Spanish from 27 to 29 September. The workshop aimed at strengthening the participants’ capacity to comply with notification obligations under WTO rules.