World Trade Organization

WTO Talks on Global Farm Trade Reform Launched

By Robert Evans GENEVA, March 23 (Reuters) - Long-awaited World Trade Organisation (WTO) talks on removing barriers to freer global farm trade were launched on Thursday but diplomats said they could drag on for years.

Caribbean States Seek WTO Waiver For ACP Countries

The Wall Street Journal BRUSSELS -- Officials from a group of Caribbean banana-producing countries Thursday said the World Trade Organization should approve a waiver allowing the European Union to maintain preferential trade with 71 African, Caribbean and Pacific, or ACP, countries.

Taiwan Leader Backs WTO for China

LOS ANGELES, March 22 (Reuters) - Taiwan President-elect Chen Shui-bian supports World Trade Organization membership for China despite his island's friction with the mainland, the Los Angeles Times reported on Wednesday.

Police ignored WTO warnings: Sheriff""s office relayed fears of mass unrest

By KERY MURAKAMI SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER REPORTER The King County Sheriff's Office warned Seattle police months before the World Trade Organization conference that the city should prepare for violent protests. But for some reason Seattle police ignored "clear indications" of massive civil disobedience, and as a result were overwhelmed when it came.

Gore Casts Away China Trade Problem

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Al Gore relegated two priorities to the wings Wednesday -- the administration's longstanding trade agenda with China and fund-raising reforms newly trumpeted in his presidential race -- as he papered over Democratic differences on trade and pledged his gratitude to $10,000 campaign donors.

WTO Panel Formed for NZ/Australia US Lamb Dispute

WELLINGTON, March 22 (Reuters) - New Zealand on Wednesday said a World Trade Organisation (WTO) panel had been formed to hear New Zealand and Australia's dispute with the United States over tariffs on lamb. The United States imposed import levies on New Zealand and Australian lamb imports last July and introduced a US$100 million assistance package for U.S. lamb producers in January.

WTO Remains Deadlocked on Selection of Chief for Agriculture Liberalization Panel

GENEVA--New multilateral talks on the further liberalization of farm trade are headed for an inauspicious start after members of the World Trade Organization failed once again March 20 to agree on the selection of an official to head the negotiations.

U.S. Trade Deficit Hits Record

Associated Press / Martin Crutsinger, AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) -- The U.S. trade deficit shot up to a record $28 billion in January as Americans' demand for foreign oil hit an all-time high while sales of exports slipped.

China Meets with WTO Members

Associated Press / Naomi Koppel, Associated Press Writer GENEVA (AP) -- For the first time in almost two years, China met formally with the World Trade Organization's members today to talk about joining the group, and expressed confidence that its bid for membership would be approved by the U.S. Congress.

WTO Sets Mid-May for Big Push on China Entry

By Robert Evans GENEVA, March 21 (Reuters) - World Trade Organisation (WTO) member countries on Tuesday set a mid-May date for a major push on finalising China's 13-year bid to win admission to the body. But senior trade officials said the vast mass of documentation that had to be processed made it unlikely that Chinese accession could be formally agreed until the autumn.