Archive - May 24, 2005

Trade Facilitation in WTO: Developing Countries Stress Need to Clarify Scope of Negotiations

Original Publication Date: 
23 May, 2005
Source: 
WTO Info Service on WTO and Trade Issues (May05/11)
While some members pressed ahead with proposals for new clarification of the relevant existing GATT rules as well as new obligations, several developing countries voiced their concern that some proposals that have been put forward exceeded the mandate for the negotiations.(M. Khor)

Groser Resignation Stuns WTO Ag Negotiators; Officials Warn of Consequences for Farm Trade Talks

Original Publication Date: 
23 May, 2005
Source: 
Daniel Pruzin, International Trade Daily
Trade officials in Geneva May 23 were stunned by the news that the chairman of the WTO's agriculture negotiations, New Zealand ambassador Tim Groser, has resigned as New Zealand's ambassador to the WTO, calling into question his continued leadership at a sensitive stage in the farm trade negotiations.

Trade Policy Steep Tariff Reductions Necessary In WTO Talks to Benefit U.S. Exporters

Original Publication Date: 
23 May, 2005
Source: 
Gary G. Yerkey, International Trade Daily
National Foreign Trade Council (NFTC), said that hundreds of millions of dollars a year worth of priority NFTC-member non-agricultural exports to six countries--Brazil, Egypt, India, Malaysia, South Africa, and Turkey--currently face 'uncertain' or 'prohibitive' tariffs.

China Told by US to Revalue Renminbi by 10%

Original Publication Date: 
23 May, 2005
Source: 
Andrew Balls, Financial Times, London
The US Treasury has told the Chinese authorities that they must revalue their currency by at least 10 per cent against the dollar to prevent protectionist legislation in the US Congress.