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World Trade Organization (WTO)

World Trade Organization (WTO)
The latest news, analysis and opinion on World Trade Organization (WTO). In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
last updated:
9 September, 2024
Workers leave a garment factory for lunch in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on September 21, 2022. Free trade has been a mixed economic blessing for countries in the developing world, not least those in Asia. Photo: Xinhua
Trade

Macroscope | Tariff wars show just how badly we need global trade reform

While some want a return to trade norms, not many are willing to consider if yesterday’s liberalisation craze was ever sustainable.

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China-EU relations

To rival China, EU seeks to favour European companies for hi-tech contracts

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China-EU relations

EU to resume WTO case against China over alleged economic coercion of Lithuania

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US-China relations

US lawmakers bring back bill to revoke China’s trade status

Legislation targets permanent normal trade relations designation, which was conferred in 2000 ahead of China’s joining the WTO.

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A container ship sails from the Qingdao port in eastern China’s Shandong province on December 26, 2024. Photo: AFP
War and conflict

Opinion | Are the 2020s doomed to be a repeat of the 1920s?

As ethno-nationalist populism and propaganda threaten human society, we need leaders who can offer an alternative to confrontation and war.

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Thailand

Asian Angle | How Thailand can tackle influx of Chinese imports beyond tariffs and bans

Thailand can clamp down on illegal imports, boost product quality inspections and encourage firms to adjust their business models.

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Asean

Opinion | Why Southeast Asia’s participation in Brics matters

With Indonesia joining the grouping and Malaysia and Thailand as partner countries, Brics has acquired not just mineral-rich members but also key Asean voices.

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Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (left) with Indonesia’s President Prabowo Subianto at the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18. Brazil, which holds the rotating Brics presidency in 2025, announced on January 6 that Indonesia had become a full member of the bloc. Photo: AFP/Brazilian presidency
India

India and European nations push for faster FTA launch ahead of Trump’s return

New Delhi aims to seal an FTA with the four-nation EFTA soon, in a move that may give impetus for a similar deal with the larger EU.

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United States

Inside Out | Budget disaster looms for UN agencies under Trump 2.0

The incoming US president has disdain for global organisations, and making good on threats to cut funding or withdraw would be disastrous.

China’s Communist Party

China’s customs chief and trade warrior Yu Jianhua dies aged 63

Yu, who played a major role in Beijing’s response to Donald Trump’s trade war, had previously led the diplomatic mission at the UN in Geneva.

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Yu Jianhua was taken ill on Tuesday after meeting provincial officials. Photo: China News Service via Getty Images
China's economic recovery

China rallies world’s economic groups, decries protectionism at ‘1+10’ dialogue

With an eye on peaceful and sustainable economic development for the world, meeting addresses outsized threats and risks in a time of rising uncertainties.

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Premier Li Qiang (centre) gestures as the president of the New Development Bank, Dilma Rousseff, left, and Rebeca Grynspan, right, secretary-general of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, arrive at the “1+10” Dialogue on Building Consensus on Development to Promote Global Common Prosperity in Beijing on Monday. Photo: AP
US-China relations

Top Democrat urges closer US-China cooperation on shared challenges

Ranking congressman on House intelligence committee highlights climate change, fentanyl and global health as areas for cooperation.

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China-EU relations

EU pushes to cut China reliance with US$4.8 billion in cleantech grants

Move to name China in the proposal could leave the bloc vulnerable to a challenge in Geneva trade courts, analyst says.

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US-China relations

WTO boss urges middle powers to defend global system ahead of US-China trade war

Deepening fragmentation looms with Donald Trump’s return to White House and joint diplomacy needed, says re-elected Nigerian economist.

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Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the World Trade Organization’s director general, speaks at a press conference in Geneva, Switzerland, on November 29, 2024. Photo: AFP
China-EU relations

European Union launches WTO case against Chinese tariffs on brandy exports

China has 10 days to respond after request for consultation formally lodged at the World Trade Organization on Monday.

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In lodging a request for consultation at the WTO the European Commission said: “China’s provisional measures on EU brandy are not based on facts, and thus are not in line with WTO rules”. Photo: AP
China-India relations

Hope grows for India-China economic ties amid Trump’s tariff threats

Will the new-found optimism from their border thaw endure escalating trade tensions with the US?

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China-EU relations

Little room to mend EU-China ties amid differences over trade, Ukraine

Dialogue and action urged ahead of Donald Trump’s return and as mainland ship is detained by Danish coastguard over cut undersea cables.

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Donald Trump

Editorial | Torch of international cooperation to burn despite Trump return

China’s President Xi Jinping along with leaders at the Apec and G20 summits make it clear multilateralism is still the way to go.

Beijing is not US president-elect Donald Trump’s only target in a trade war – he also has threatened tariffs on the rest of the world. Photo: AFP
US-China relations

Harsh Chinese retaliation against Trump tariffs is unlikely, economist predicts

Beijing has other moves at its disposal, including deepening trade ties with the rest of the world and increasing demand at home.

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US-China relations

Opinion | The West can’t have it both ways on overcapacity

Tariff wars on China not only expose a double standard around Western manufacturing but also erode the institutions of fair trade.

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G20

G20 summit begins with Brazilian host laying out ambitious global priorities

Anti-poverty agenda set by Brazil’s leader gains some initial support, but progress is threatened by instability and conflict around the world.

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The G20 Summit opens on Monday at the Museum of Modern Art in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: EPA-EFE
US-China relations

Xi touts China as globalisation leader, draws contrast with US under Trump

Shared growth stressed on Apec sidelines in Peru as Chinese leader tells CEOs that Beijing’s economic and financial woes can be fixed.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives at the Government Palace in Lima, Peru, on November 14, 2024. Photo: Zuma Press Wire/dpa
United States

Outside In | ‘Trump-proofing’ is distracting the world from far graver challenges

From G20 and Apec to the WTO and Nato, global cooperation on climate, security and open trade and investment must be quickly restored.

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US-China relations

US lawmaker introduces legislation to revoke China’s trade status

Proposal by chair of House panel on China would set minimum tariffs on Chinese imports but is unlikely to pass this congressional session.

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Diplomacy

Opinion | Here’s how the G20 can be more than a talk shop

While the grouping did a good job of dealing with the 2008 global financial crisis, in recent years, collective action has been sorely lacking.

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Brazil’s Economy Minister Fernando Haddad shakes hands with US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen during the G20 economic ministers’ meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on July 26. The G20 summit is scheduled for November 18-19. Photo: AFP
China trade

Exclusive | Ex-WTO head says China-EU ‘united front’ can counter Trump trade curbs

Pascal Lamy has called for China and the EU to resolve their differences and defend global trade together in a second Trump term.

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Former head of the World Trade Organization Pascal Lamy has called for China and the EU to unite against likely trade curbs during Donald Trump’s second White House term. Photo: TNS
US-China trade war

Macroscope | IMF is changing its tune on trade. Should Asian economies listen?

In matters of open trade, Asian policymakers can no longer rely on the IMF, which is now advising Asia to focus on building domestic demand.

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Singapore

US-China ties in ‘more challenging place’: Singapore’s PM Wong

The two major powers have ‘consequential decisions’ that they will have to make with consequences on the future global order.

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