World Trade Organization

"End Cotton Subsidies" Demands Africa

BBC News | Sept. 11, 2003 Several African nations have joined forces to put the issue of cotton onto the agenda of the World Trade Organisation meeting in Cancun. Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali are demanding wealthier countries end subsidies to farmers which they say results in them losing $250m a year in exports.

WTO States in Tough Talks at Cancun Summit

Reuters | Sept. 11, 2003 CANCUN, Mexico (Reuters) - Ministers got down to hard bargaining on Thursday aimed at reigniting World Trade Organization free trade talks stalled by a stand-off between rich and poor nations over farm subsidies.

Trade Ministers Grope for Consensus, Activists Mourn Death of Militant

Agence France Presse | Sept. 11, 2003 CANCUN, Mexico (AFP) - WTO ministers groped for consensus on key issues holding up a new global trade accord as activists mourned the suicide of a South Korean anti-WTO protester.

Mexico""s Experience Highlights Inequities in Free-Trade Policies

Arizona Republic | By Tessie Borden | Sept. 11, 2003 Mexico has become the poster child for what free trade can do to a developing country, and supporters and opponents are using its experience to push agendas at this week's meeting of the World Trade Organization. It's a fitting example.

WTO Trade Summit Focusing on Agriculture this Time

Miami Herald | By Jane Bussey | Sept. 10, 2003 CANCUN, Mexico _ As 146 trade ministers begin five days of global trade talks, the most modern trade summit ever _ from the ever-present cellphones to the sophisticated electronic access cards _ is dominated by the age-old issue of agriculture.

Agriculture Tops WTO Talks in Mexico

New York Times | By Elizabeth Becker | Sept. 10, 2003 CANCUN, Mexico, Sept. 9 - The top-level trade talks beginning here on Wednesday represent the developing world's first chance to bring some balance to a global marketplace they see tilted against them. The pivotal point for them, and the talks, is agriculture.

Agriculture on the Table At Trade Talks in Mexico

Washington Post | By Kevin Sullivan | Sept. 10, 2003 CANCUN, Mexico, Sept. 9 -- Trade officials from 146 countries -- along with rock stars, a flotilla of warships offshore and demonstrators -- have gathered at this beach resort for a five-day round of global trade negotiations that could shape the future for farmers from Iowa to Burkina Faso.

Ethical Guidelines for International Trade

L'Osservatore Romano | By Pope Johan Paul III | September 10, 2003

WTO Ministerial Opens by Setting up Five Working Groups to Reconcile Draft

Sept. 10, 2003 CANCUN -- The fifth ministerial of the World Trade Organization formally opened in Cancun this morning (Sept. 10) as ministers agreed to create five working groups that will attempt to reconcile the outstanding issues in the draft declaration.

Annan Decries Trade Policies

Washington Post | By Kevin Sullivan | Sept. 10, 2003