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WTO""s Next Boss Optimistic of New Round

By Nopporn Wong-Anan BANGKOK, Feb 11 (Reuters) - The World Trade Organisation's next boss, Supachai Panitchpakdi, on Friday voiced optimism for a new round of global trade liberalisation despite the spectacular collapse of summit talks in Seattle late last year.

Senate Finance Criticizes Clinton""s Leadership on Trade

National Journal's CongressDaily

NZ Official Says WTO Round Pushed out to 2001

WELLINGTON, Feb 10 (Reuters) - The next round of World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks could be delayed until 2001 due to the U.S. elections, a senior New Zealand official said on Thursday.

Annan Urges Debate on Free Trade

By DAVID THURBER / Associated Press Writer BANGKOK, Thailand (AP) -- U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan said Thursday that an upcoming major U.N. conference should launch a new debate on how world trade can be made free and fair.

Poor Nations Re-Exam Trade Deal

AP Online / By DAVID THURBER BANGKOK, Thailand -- For decades, poor countries have felt excluded from the closed-door meetings that set the direction for the world's trade agreements. Nevertheless, most accepted the pacts, believing that free trade would help them develop and eventually join the ranks of the rich.

U.S. Considering New Ways to Force European Union to Lift Ban on Beef Imports

U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky said Feb. 8 that an interagency task force has been established to look into new ways that the United States might use to force the European Union to lift its long-standing ban on imports of beef produced with growth-promoting hormones.

Sweeney Calls for WTO Reforms; Democrats Address UAW Conference

AFL-CIO President John J. Sweeney Feb. 8 warned a congressional trade panel that the protests at the World Trade Organization's Seattle meetings will be just the tip of the iceberg if global trade practices are not adjusted to address the needs and concerns of working families.

Lawmakers Are Warned to Back China Trade or Lose Contributions

The Wall Street Journal / By MICHAEL M. PHILLIPS WASHINGTON -- Top business executives are issuing a blunt warning to federal lawmakers: Vote against the trade deal with China, and we will hold it against you when writing campaign checks.

World Bank in Warning Over WTO

South China Morning Post / By SHEEL KOHLI in London Beijing will have to rethink its exchange rate policy, according to the World Bank, if its expected entry into the World Trade Organisation creates a significant trade deficit.

UNCTAD is in a Unique Position

The Nation With the failure of the WTO, the IMF, G-7 and other bodies, Unctad has an opportunity to influence the world, write Walden Bello and Nicola Bullard.