Archive - Mar 2005

GENEVA--Canada will host a meeting of senior trade officials in Geneva April 18-19 as part of preparations for the next World Trade Organization 'mini-ministerial' gathering in early May, trade diplomats told BNA March 17.

A proposal that applications for patents relating to genetic resources and traditional knowledge should be accompanied by evidence of benefit sharing with the countries of origin.

One of the highlights was a proposal by 8 developing countries that applications for patents relating to genetic resources and traditional knowledge should be accompanied by evidence of benefit sharing with the countries of origin

The officials said that the chairman of the WTO's negotiating group on agriculture, New Zealand's Tim Groser, gave no indication when the talks would be reconvened.

Trade officials following the talks said it appeared to be the first time that the United States has advocated such an approach and identified specific products.

The Agricultural negotiations aren't faring much better. Underpinning the WTO is the ideology that all food should be produced for international export rather than local consumption.

Brazil and India gave thumbs down March 16 to proposals from the United States and the European Union aimed at meeting developing country demands for flexibility in a formula for reducing tariffs on industrial and consumer goods.

China hopes to hold talks with the United States and European Union over the surge in exports of textiles and apparel to those markets.

Brazil and India gave thumbs down March 16 to proposals from the United States and the European Union aimed at meeting developing country demands for flexibility.

There is substantial opposition on Capitol Hill to Lamy's candidacy to succeed Panitchpakdi as head of the WTO.