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DSB considers panel request by Honduras to examine Dominican Republic's measures affecting cigarettes

At the DSB meeting on 19 December 2003, the Dominican Republic blocked Honduras' first-time request for a panel on the former's measures affecting cigarettes.
> Summary of the meeting

Turkey’s trade policy review calls for continued reforms

Turkey’s economic reforms could be strengthened by continued structural adjustment, privatization and improved goods and services commitments, to attract foreign investment and make its trading regime more predictable, says a Secretariat report on the country’s trade policies and practices released on 19 December 2003.
> Press release

WTO and CPA publish new trade booklet for MPs

The WTO and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association have published a new booklet on the multilateral trading system, based on regional workshops for African and Caribbean Parliamentarians held in Cape Town and Port-of-Spain in 2003.
> details
> download in pdf format (36 pages, 1.4MB)

Chair wraps up: negotiating groups can restart, but still no deal on tough issues

Members are willing to restart work in the negotiating groups, but there is still no major breakthrough, General Council Chairperson Carlos Pérez del Castillo said on 16 December 2003. He was wrapping up the council’s discussion on the follow up from the Cancún Ministerial Conference.
> Chairperson’s closing statement

26th WTO Trade Policy Course ends

Twenty-two government officials from developing countries and economies in transition completed on 11 December 2003 a three month training on the multilateral trading system, its rules and its procedures.
> News item

Denmark donates another 600,000 Swiss francs for WTO technical assistance

Denmark pledged a new contribution of DKK 3 million (CHF 600,000) on 17 December to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund, for 2004. Denmark contributed a similar amount in January 2003.
> Press release

Professor Merit Janow sworn in as new Appellate Body member

In a ceremony presided over by Ambassador Shotaro Oshima, chair of the Dispute Settlement Body, Professor Merit Janow of the United States was sworn in as a member of the Appellate Body at the WTO on 15 December 2003.
> News item

‘Time to reactivate the negotiating groups and other bodies’ — General Council chair and DG

The WTO’s negotiating groups and the Trade Negotiations Committee should be reactivated Chairperson Carlos Pérez del Castillo and WTO Director-General Supachai told the General Council on 15 December 2003. They had suspended the groups after the Cancún Ministerial Conference ended inconclusively in September, and their reports kicked off the General Council’s deliberations on ending the deadlock, as ministers had instructed in Cancún.
> Key issues clearer, possible solutions becoming visible: General Council chairperson’s assessment
> Ministers want to resume talks using Cancún text: Director-General’s statement

WTO Appellate Body confirms US anti-dumping sunset review of certain Japanese steel products is legal

The WTO Appellate Body’s 15 December 2003 report on dispute DS244, “United States — Sunset Review of Anti-Dumping Duties on Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products from Japan”, reversed some of the legal reasoning of the original panel report, issued on 14 August 2003. In particular, the Appellate Body found that the US Sunset Policy Bulletin can be challenged in WTO dispute settlement. Although their analysis of Japan’s claims differed in important respects, neither the panel nor the Appellate Body made any finding that the United States had acted inconsistently with its obligations under the Anti-Dumping or the WTO Agreement.
> Download the Appellate Body Report in Word format (90 pages; 461KB), in pdf format (90 pages; 247KB)
> All documentation on the case DS244
> More on Appellate Body
> More on Dispute Settlement

Dispute body adopts rulings on US steel safeguards and Japan’s measures on apples

The Dispute Settlement Body, on 10 December 2003, adopted the panel and Appellate Body reports on US definitive safeguard measures on imports of certain steel products and Japanese measures affecting the importation of apples.
> Summary of the meeting

Vietnam starts its ‘quantum jump’ but still some way to go

Vietnam’s membership negotiations entered a new phase as its working party started work on key points of draft “elements” of a working party report on 10 December, but members warned that a lot of work still remains.
> News item

Chairman reports progress in relaunching trade negotiations

General Council Chairman Amb. Carlos Pérez del Castillo, at an informal Heads of Delegations meeting on 9 December 2003, reported progress in consultations with members for relaunching negotiations but gaps remain wide among positions. Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi urged members to keep working with a sense of urgency and engagement.
> Statement by the Chairman of the General Council
> Statement by the Director-General

Switzerland contributes a total of 1.5 million Swiss francs to WTO technical assistance

Switzerland, on 4 December 2003, made a contribution of 750,000 Swiss francs to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund. This is in addition to an earlier Swiss contribution of the same amount.
> Press release

Liberal trade policies help Chile cope with external shocks

WTO members, in concluding their third trade policy review of Chile on 4 December 2003, said that liberalization policies since the last review in 1997 have made Chile's economy more resilient and enabled the country to cope well with a number of external shocks over the past years.
> Press release

Training course on dispute settlement

Participants representing 27 governments are following a one-week training program on the rules and procedures which govern the WTO dispute settlement mechanism.
> News item

EC, Canada and US to discuss next move in hormone-treated beef case

The European Communities, at the DSB meeting on 1 December 2003, asked Canada and the US to initiate a compliance procedure to assess the WTO consistency of the EC's new measure in the hormone-treated beef case but Canada and the US said that they would rather hold further discussions.
> Summary of the meeting

Panel rules on India-EU dispute on GSP tariff preferences

The WTO, on 1 December 2003, issued a panel report that found EU's special tariff preferences for 12 developing countries under its “Drug Arrangements”, as prescribed in the EU’s GSP regulation, to be in violation of trade rules because they discriminate against other developing countries. One panelist dissented from the report.
> Download the panel report:       

In Word format: Panel report (166 pages, 925 KB) Annex A (2 pages, 44 KB) Annex B (169 pages, 799 KB) Annex C (47 pages, 277 KB) Annex D (16 pages, 82 KB) Annex E (2 pages, 41 KB)

In pdf format: Panel report (166 pages, 575 KB) Annex A (2 pages, 18 KB) Annex B (169 pages, 511 KB) Annex C (47 pages, 149 KB) Annex D (16 pages, 47 KB) Annex E (2 pages, 16 KB)

> All documentation on the case DS246
> More on Dispute Settlement

1st Specialized Course on Trade in Services

Twenty-four government officials from developing countries and economies in transition attended a course on trade in services and more specifically the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services.
> News item

Appellate Body issues report on US-Japan apple dispute

The Appellate Body, on 26 November 2003, issued a report upholding the findings of a panel that Japan's quarantine restrictions on imports of apples from the United States are inconsistent with certain provisions of the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
> Download the Appellate Body Report in Word format (101 pages; 413KB), in pdf format (101 pages; 294KB)
> All documentation on the case DS245
> More on Appellate Body
> More on Dispute Settlement

Supachai welcomes support from leaders of IMF and World Bank

WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi welcomed, on 21 November 2003, the strong support shown by IMF Managing Director Horst Köhler and World Bank President James D. Wolfensohn who sent a joint letter to global leaders encouraging them to redouble their efforts in advancing the Doha Development Agenda global trade talks.
> Press release

African trade ministers urge resumption of negotiations

Trade ministers from 12 African countries, in a statement after an informal meeting with Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi in Cairo on 13-14 November 2003, called on the WTO membership — particularly the major trading partners — “to return to the negotiating table in the shortest possible delay”.

DSB establishes panel on EU's customs classification of frozen boneless chicken cuts

The Dispute Settlement Body, on 21 November 2003, established a panel to examine Thailand's complaint against the EU's customs classification of boneless chicken cuts.
> Summary of the meeting

The Netherlands donates 1.4 million euro to WTO technical assistance

The Netherlands Government pledged, on 19 November 2003, a contribution of 1.4 million euro (1.8 million Swiss francs) to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund.
> Press release

New webpage set up for decision on intellectual property and public health

The WTO website now includes a dedicated page for member governments to make known their use (or intention to use) provisions allowing cheaper pharmaceutical products to be traded more easily across borders under compulsory licensing.
> News item

Morocco joins WTO's Information Technology Agreement

Morocco, on 14 November 2003, joined a WTO agreement on removing all tariff barriers to information technology products such as personal computers and telecoms equipment.
> News item

Members encourage Thailand to continue reforms

WTO members, at the conclusion of their fourth trade policy review of Thailand on 14 November 2003, encouraged the country to continue with trade liberalization and structural reforms, which have contributed to the steady development of the economy since the previous review in 1999.
> Press release

DSB establishes 3 panels

The Dispute Settlement Body, on 7 November 2003, established three panels to examine, respectively, Australia's quarantine regime for imports, Mexico's anti-dumping measures on beef and rice, and the European Communities' customs classification of frozen boneless chicken cuts.
> Summary of the meeting

Appellate Body issues report on steel dispute

The Appellate Body, on 10 November 2003, issued its report on the complaints brought to the WTO by Brazil, China, the European Communities, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Norway and Switzerland against United States — Definitive Safeguard Measures on Imports of Certain Steel Products. It upheld most of the Panel's conclusions that the US measures were inconsistent with the WTO Safeguards Agreement and the GATT 1994 but reversed some findings regarding tin mill products and stainless steel wire which did not affect the overall result.
> Download the Appellate Body Report in Word format (187 pages; 722KB), in pdf format (187 pages; 1041KB)
> All documentation on the case DS248
> All documentation on the case DS249
> All documentation on the case DS251
> All documentation on the case DS252
> All documentation on the case DS253
> All documentation on the case DS254
> All documentation on the case DS258
> All documentation on the case DS259
> More on Dispute Settlement

Supachai urges China to help rebuild confidence in trade talks

Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the Beijing International Forum on 10 November 2003, called on China, as one of the world's leading economic nations, to help rebuild ambition and confidence in the Doha Development Agenda. He was the first WTO Director-General to visit China since the country joined the organization.

WTO appoints new Appellate Body Member and reappoints three existing Members

The WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) appointed on 7 November 2003 Ms Merit E. Janow of the United States to the Appellate Body and reappointed Messrs Georges Michel Abi-Saab of Egypt, Arumugamangalam Venkatachalam Ganesan of India and Yasuhei Taniguchi of Japan .
> Press release

Harbinson will give up Agriculture Committee Chair

Stuart Harbinson, Director of the Office of WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, announced on 6 November 2003 that he intends to give up the chairmanship of the agriculture negotiations.
> Press release

Members commend Haiti's economy as one of most liberal in Latin America

WTO members, in concluding their first trade policy review of Haiti on 6 November 2003, said that the country's unilateral reform efforts have made it one of the most liberal economies in Latin America and the Caribbean.
> Press release

Supachai says DDA failure would be lost opportunity for developing countries

Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a keynote address to the Third City of London Biennial Meeting on 4 November 2003, said that failure to advance the Doha Development Agenda would be a “lost opportunity” for developing countries to become more fully integrated into the global economy, and to benefit from the economic growth that trade can generate.

Supachai: sluggish trade growth calls for urgent pick up of stalled trade talks

The sluggish performance in global trade last year and the prospects for weak trade expansion in 2003 reinforces the already pressing need for WTO member governments to get global trade negotiations back on track, said Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi following release of the WTO’s International Trade Statistics 2003 on 5 November 2003. 
> Press release

Members encourage Guyana to accelerate reforms

WTO members, in concluding their first trade policy review of Guyana on 31 October 2003, encouraged Guyana to continue and accelerate the pace and scope of its trade reform efforts. A number of members urged that problems of small developing economies, like Guyana, be addressed in the current trade negotiations.
> Press release

WTO Secretariat reports significant decline in new anti-dumping investigations

The WTO Secretariat reported, on 23 October 2003, that in the period 1 January to 30 June 2003, 18 Members initiated 79 anti-dumping investigations against exports from a total of 30 different countries or customs territories. This represents a significant decline from the corresponding period of 2002.
> Press release

France contributes 100,000 euros to WTO technical cooperation

The Government of France, on 21 October 2003, made a contribution of 100,000 euros (150,000 Swiss francs) to WTO technical cooperation activities related to the implementation of the Agreement of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
> Press release

Norway donates 6 million Norwegian Kroner to DDA Fund

The Government of Norway pledged on 14 October 2003 a contribution of 6 million Norwegian Kroner (CHF 1.2 million) to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund.
> Press release

Hong Kong China to host next Ministerial Conference

WTO members accepted today (21 October 2003) Hong Kong, China’s invitation for the Sixth WTO Ministerial Conference to be held there, but postponed a decision on the date.
> News item

Trade reforms boost Bulgaria's economy

WTO members in concluding their review of Bulgaria's trade policies and practices on 17 October 2003 said that trade reforms have contributed to the country's high rates of economic growth in the past five years.
> Press release

Members back efforts to put negotiations back on track

General Council Chairman Carlos Pérez del Castillo and Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, during an informal meeting of Heads of Delegation on 14 October 2003, reported that their consultations show members are willing to get back to work in line with the mandate agreed by Ministers at Cancún.
> Statements by the General Council Chairman and the Director-General

DSB establishes panel on EC trademark and geographical indication rules

On 2 October 2003, the Dispute Settlement Body agreed to established a panel to examine European Community rules on the protection of trademarks and geographical indications for agricultural products and foodstuffs. The United States and Australia requested the panel (DS174 & DS290).
> Summary of the meeting

NGO participation in Ministerial Conference was largest ever

Just under 800 non-governmental organizations and almost 1,600 of their representatives attended the Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancún, a record in the WTO’s eight-year history.
> News item

6th Specialized Course on WTO Dispute Settlement ends

Twenty-seven government officials completed on 3 October a five-day immersion into the rules and procedures of the WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism.
> News item

26th WTO Trade Policy Course begins

Twenty four government officials attended on 22 September 2003 the opening session of the 26th WTO Trade Policy Course, which is being held in Spanish. The brief ceremony was chaired by Mr. Paul Rolian, Director of the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation, who welcomed the participants.
> News item

Members voice strong support for Honduras' reform programme

WTO members, in concluding their first trade policy review of Honduras on 1 October 2003, expressed strong support for the country's ongoing economic and institutional efforts, including trade and investment liberalization. They were heartened by Honduras' statement that it sees closer integration in the world economy as a development tool.
> Press release

WTO commends Niger and Senegal for reform efforts

Members, in concluding their trade policy review of Niger and Senegal on 24 September 2003, recognized that the two countries face real resource constraints in implementing their reform programmes. They urged organizations to provide more technical assistance, and for trading partners to help by ensuring that their markets are fully open to products from Niger and Senegal.
> Press release for Niger
> Press release for Senegal

Cancún: The real losers are the poor

Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in the International Herald Tribune edition of 18 September 2003, wrote that the future of trade issues of potential benefit to developing countries such as market-opening in manufactured products, services and agriculture, are uncertain because of lack of agreement at Cancún. He added that he would immediately look for ways to move the WTO process forward.
> Director-General's column

Cancún failure is “not good news” for Africa

Deputy Director-General Kipkorir Aly Azad Rana, in a speech at the Second East African Business Summit in Nanyuki, Kenya on 18 September 2003, described as “very wrong-headed” the view by some commentators that the failure by Ministers to agree in Cancun was good news. “For us in Africa, this means fewer development opportunities,” he said.
>  DDG Rana's speech

Day 5: Conference ends without consensus

The Cancún Ministerial Conference ended on 14 September after Chairperson Luis Ernesto Derbez concluded that despite considerable movement in consultations, members remained entrenched, particularly on the “Singapore” issues.
> Summary of the meeting

Day 4: As ministers comment on new draft, Chairperson warns of dangers of failure

Following the new draft declaration’s circulation and a long meeting in which ministers criticized the points they disliked, Chairperson Derbez expressed concern, in the early hours of 14 September, that failure would damage the world economy and the trading system.
> Summary of the meeting

Belgium donates 2 million euro to WTO technical assistance

The Belgian government, on 13 September 2003, committed itself to contribute CHF 3,080,000 (2 million euro) over 4 years — 2004 to 2007 — to the WTO Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund. The Belgian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Louis Michel, announced the donation during his speech at the fifth WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancún.
> Press release

Day 3: ‘Facilitators’ start work on new draft declaration

As the conference’s half-way point passed, the chairperson’s “facilitators” wrapped up their first round of consultations and began drafting a new ministerial declaration.
Meanwhile on the ceremonial side, Cambodia and Nepal signed their membership packages a day after ministers agreed them — the two new members will formally join the WTO 30 days after they have ratified the agreements and informed the WTO.
> Summary of the meeting

Day 2: Cambodia and Nepal membership sealed as ministers start negotiations

Ministers began negotiations on 11 September 2003 with an informal heads of delegations meeting followed by group discussions on the key issues, while in a formal session they approved the membership agreements of Cambodia and Nepal.
> Summary of the meeting

Ambition achieved as ministers seal Cambodia and Nepal membership deals

WTO ministers approved Cambodia’s and Nepal's membership agreements today (11 September 2003), putting them in line to become the WTO’s 147th and 148th members and the first least-developed countries to join the WTO through the full working party negotiation process.
> Press release for Cambodia
> Press release for Nepal

WTO and the ACP sign agreement on technical assistance

WTO Director-General Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi and the Secretary General of the ACP (Africa, Caribbean and Pacific) Group of Countries, Mr Jean-Robert Goulongana, signed 10 September in Cancún, Mexico, a Memorandum of Understanding for closer cooperation between the two organizations on providing training and technical assistance for ACP countries.
> Press release

Austria contributes 310.000 Swiss francs to WTO technical assistance

The Government of Austria, on 10 September 2003, pledged to contribute 310,000 Swiss francs to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund of the WTO.
> Press release

WTO disputes overtake 300 mark

Three hundred and one disputes have been brought to the WTO's dispute settlement system since its creation less than nine years ago. This compares to the roughly 300 disputes brought to its predecessor, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), during its entire existence of almost 50 years.
> Press release

Day 1: Conference kicks off with ‘facilitators’ named and cotton debated

Mexican President Vicente Fox opened the Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference on 10 September 2003, and ministers started work in consultations on key issues with “facilitators”. The day ended with a debate on a proposal on cotton from four African countries.
> Summary of the meeting

Mexican Government, WTO Secretariat express regret at death in Cancún

The Mexican Government and the WTO Secretariat at the Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference regret the death of the Korean citizen Kun Hai Lee, as a result of a self-inflicted wound at a gathering today of Non-Governmental Organizations in Cancún, Mexico.
> Press release

‘Show leadership at Cancún,’ Supachai tells African Union

WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi urged African countries on 9 September 2003 to remain engaged in the Doha negotiations at the highest level. Already Africa’s increased participation has started to bear fruit, he said.
> Speech

WTO, UNIDO to work together on trade-related technical assistance

World Trade Organization Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi and UN Industrial Development Organization Director-General Carlos Magariños signed an agreement today 10 September 2003 in Canún, which will provide a framework for the two organizations to work more closely together to assist developing countries participate meaningfully in international trade.
> Press release

Poor countries need trade to escape poverty, Supachai tells Cancún forums

The main contribution the WTO can make to sustainable development is the successful completion of the Doha Development Round, Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi told meetings on “making globalization work for people” and sustainable trade in the sidelines of the Cancún Ministerial Conference.
> address at trade union event
> address at “sustainable trade day” opening

04.09.03

WTO Members agree on ways to boost least-developed countries’ participation in services negotiations

WTO member governments agreed today (3 September 2003) on how to give special treatment to least-developed countries in the current services negotiations, as required under the provision of the General Agreement on Trade in Services dealing with setting out the framework for negotiations.
> Press release

Draft Cancún Declaration, as forwarded by Pérez del Castillo and Supachai to ministers

General Council chairperson Carlos Pérez del Castillo and Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi submitted their draft Cancún Ministerial Declaration to ministers on 31 August 2003. In a covering letter, they stress that it has not been agreed “in any part”, and does not include many of the member governments’ proposals. But, “it remains our best judgement of what could constitute a workable framework for action by Ministers at Cancún. We believe it constitutes an adequate and manageable basis for discussion, and we hope it will prove a useful tool in our search for common ground in Cancún”.
> cover letter
> draft declaration

DSB establishes 6 panels to examine 10 complaints

At its meeting on 29 August 2003, the DSB established 6 panels to examine 10 complaints including those on sugar and GMOs.
> Summary of the meeting

Decision removes final patent obstacle to cheap drug imports

WTO member governments broke their deadlock over intellectual property protection and public health today (30 August 2003). They agreed on legal changes that will make it easier for poorer countries to import cheaper generics made under compulsory licensing if they are unable to manufacture the medicines themselves.
> Press release
> Decision on implementation of paragraph 6 of the Doha Declaration on the TRIPS Agreement and public health
> The General Council Chairperson’s statement

President Fox to open Fifth WTO Ministerial

President Vicente Fox of host Mexico will open the Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference at the Cancún Convention Centre on 10 September 2003, according to the order of business approved by the General Council on 27 August 2003. The General Council also agreed to forward to Ministers an invitation by Hong Kong, China to host the Sixth Ministerial Conference.
> News item

WTO issues panel report on Canada-US softwood lumber dispute

The WTO, on 29 August, released the report of a panel that had examined the case United States — Final countervailing duty determination with respect to certain softwood lumber from Canada (DS 257). The panel, while rejecting some of Canada's claims, found the US action inconsistent with certain provisions of the WTO Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures.
> Download the panel report:

> All documentation on the case DS257
> More on Dispute Settlement

Italy to contribute 1.55 million Swiss francs to WTO technical assistance

The Government of Italy pledged, on 22 August 2003, one million euros (1.55 million Swiss Francs) for 2003 to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund.
> Press release

US, Canada and Argentina request panel to examine EU moratorium on biotech products

At its meeting on 18 August 2003, the DSB considered first-time requests from the US, Canada and Argentina for a  panel to examine the EU measures affecting the approval and marketing of biotech products (DS291, DS292, and DS293).
> Summary of the meeting

Nepal set to join WTO at Cancún Ministerial Conference

Nepal’s membership negotiation ended on 15 August when the WTO working party wrapped up its work. Following closely behind Cambodia, Nepal is set to be the second least-developed country to join the WTO through the full working party process. Both countries’ membership is likely to be approved at the Cancún Ministerial Conference in September.
> News item

WTO panel sides with US in Japan's complaint against sunset review

On 14 August 2003, the WTO issued the panel report on United States — Sunset Review of Anti-Dumping Duties on Corrosion-Resistant Carbon Steel Flat Products from Japan (DS244). The panel ruled in favour of the US in respect of all the claims made by Japan.
> Download the panel report:

In Word format: Panel report (90 pages, 547 KB) Annex A (19 pages, 104 KB) Annex B (42 pages, 245 KB) Annex C (20 pages, 103 KB) Annex D (40 pages, 182 KB) Annex E (164 pages, 840 KB)

In pdf format: Panel report (90 pages, 327 KB) Annex A (19 pages, 75 KB) Annex B (42 pages, 157 KB) Annex C (20 pages, 73 KB) Annex D (40 pages, 133 KB) Annex E (164 pages, 612 KB)

> All documentation on the case DS244
> More on Dispute Settlement

World Trade Report 2003

The World Trade Report is a new annual WTO publication focused on trade trends and policy issues. The 2003 edition examines developments in South-South trade, trends in commodity markets, and the growth of Regional Trade Agreements.
> Press release

“Pre-Cancún” introduction course on WTO takes places

Government officials from 21 African and Caribbean developing and least-developed countries attended, from 14 July to 1 August 2003, an introductory course focusing on the questions Trade Ministers will discuss at the WTO fifth Ministerial Conference in Cancún.
> News item

General Council extends timeframe to review WTO dispute settlement rules to 31 May 2004

At its meeting on 24 July 2003, the General Council agreed to extend negotiations in the Dispute Settlement Body Special Session which is reviewing WTO rules for dispute settlement. The timeframe was extended from 31 May 2003 to 31 May 2004.
> More on Dispute Settlement Understanding negotiations

Australia, Brazil and Thailand request a panel to examine the EU sugar subsidy regime

On 21 July 2003, Australia, Brazil and Thailand made their first request for the establishment of a panel to look at the European Union's export subsidies on sugar (DS265, DS266 and DS283).
> Summary of the meeting

Working party completes Cambodia’s membership negotiation

The WTO working party handling Cambodia’s membership negotiation completed its work Tuesday 22 July, leaving a final decision approving membership for the Cancún Ministerial Conference, in September.
> News item

Appellate Body upholds ruling in Brazil-EC pipe dispute

The Appellate Body, in a report issued on 22 July 2003, upheld most of the Panel's findings in the case EC — Anti-Dumping Duties on Malleable Cast Iron Tube or Pipe Fittings from Brazil (DS219/AB/R).
> Download the Appellate Body report in Word format (89 pages; 376KB), in pdf format (89 pages; 242KB)
> All documentation on the case DS219
> More on Dispute Settlement

25th WTO Trade Policy Course ends

Thirty government officials from developing countries and economies in transition completed on 22 July 2003 a three month training on the multilateral trading system, its rules and its procedures.
> News item

WTO African Members prepare Cancún

Senior African officials are meeting ITC, UNCTAD and WTO experts this week to prepare for the next Ministerial conference. They will discuss agriculture, services, industrial tariffs and other sectors.
> News item

Spain to contribute 230,000 Swiss francs to WTO technical assistance

The Government of Spain pledged, on 16 July 2003, a donation of 150,000 euros (CHF 230,000) to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund. The contribution will finance four training courses for Latin American countries that will take place in the second half of 2003.
> Press release

WTO issues panel report on US-Japan apple dispute

The WTO, on 15 July 2003, issued the report of a panel that had examined United States’ complaint about Japan — Measures affecting the importation of apples (DS/245). The panel concluded that Japan's quarantine measure in this case was inconsistent with the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures.
> Download the panel report in Word format (288 pages; 1536KB) — in pdf format (288 pages; 981KB)
> All documentation on the case DS245
> More on Dispute Settlement

Supachai: Doha talks can unlock Africa's huge economic potential

Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the African Union Summit in Maputo, Mozambique on 11 July 2003, said that the current trade negotiations will be a vital tool in efforts “to unlock Africa's huge economic potential and raise the living standards of citizens”.

Agencies to step up trade assistance to LDCs

The WTO, IMF, ITC, UNCTAD, UNDP and the World Bank, in a joint communiqué issued on 10 July 2003 in Washington D.C., said they will step up activities under the Integrated Framework for Trade-Related Technical Assistance to Least Developed Countries (the IF).
> Press release

Panel report out on US safeguard measures on steel products

The WTO, on 11 July 2003, issued the reports of a panel, which concluded that the safeguard measures imposed by the United States on the imports of certain steel products are inconsistent with the WTO Safeguards Agreement and GATT 1994. The case was brought to the WTO by the European Communities, Japan, Korea, China, Switzerland, Norway, New Zealand and Brazil.
> Download the panel report

Officials complete WTO dispute-settlement course

Twenty-nine government officials completed, on 4 July 2003, a five-day immersion into the rules and procedures governing the WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism.
> News item

Sixth Geneva Week concentrates on DDA negotiations

The Sixth Geneva Week for Non-Resident Members and Observers will be held at the WTO from 14 — 18 July 2003. This edition of Geneva Week has been timed to coincide with meetings of the Trade Negotiations Committee; the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture; and a Dedicated Session of the Committee on Trade and Development on Small Economies.
> Programme

Agriculture modalities ‘remain elusive’, negotiations chairperson reports to TNC

The chairperson of the agriculture negotiations has circulated a report to the Trade Negotiations Committee on 7 July 2003 intended to help WTO member governments prepare for the Cancún Ministerial Conference in September. In it he describes agreement on “modalities” as “elusive”, and calls for “collective guidance and decisions” on a number of key issues in order to achieve the Doha mandate.
> go to report

WTO 2003 annual report out

The WTO, on 4 July 2003, published its 2003 Annual Report, which focuses on the first full year of negotiations under the Doha Development Agenda.
> Download the 2003 annual report in pdf format (178 pages; 900 KB).

UN head urges more flexibility in Doha talks

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, in remarks (opens in new window) at the opening meeting of the 2003 Economic and Social Council on 30 June 2003 in Geneva, said that the Doha Development Agenda could provide “a powerful engine of growth” and urged all negotiators to “show more flexibility, and give priority to the global interest”.

Officials complete WTO course on negotiating trade agreements

Twenty-four officials from developing and least-developed countries and economies in transition completed on 27 June 2003 a WTO specialized course “Negotiating Trade Agreements: from Theory to Practice”.
> News item

Trade reforms help bring stability to Indonesian economy

WTO members, after reviewing Indonesia's trade policies on 27 and 30 June 2003, said that as a result of government reforms, the economy seems to have stabilized. They praised Indonesia's trade liberalization efforts, such as bringing tariffs down to an average of 7.2% in 2002, but also noted tariff peaks on a few products.
> Press release

Antigua and Barbuda requests panel against US on gambling and betting

On 24 June 2003, Antigua and Barbuda made its first request for the establishment of a panel to look at the United States' measures affecting the cross-border supply of gambling and betting services (DS285).
> Summary of the meeting

Panel report out on India-US textiles dispute

The WTO, on 20 June 2003, issued the report of a panel that had examined India's complaint about United States - Rules of Origin for Textiles and Apparel Products (DS243). The panel found that India had failed to establish that the US measures are inconsistent with the WTO Agreement on Rules of Origin.
> Download the panel report in Word format (244 pages; 1240KB) — in pdf format (244 pages; 812KB)
> All documentation on the case DS243
> More on Dispute Settlement

WTO Director-General establishes a Consultative Board on the future of the multilateral trading system

WTO Director-General Dr. Supachai Panitchpakdi has established a Consultative Board of eminent persons chaired by Mr. Peter Sutherland to advise him on the challenges and opportunities confronting the organization and the multilateral trading system.
> Press release

WTO urges Morocco to accelerate trade reforms

WTO members, in concluding their two-day review of Morocco's trade policies on 18 June 2003, applauded its recent economic performance and urged it to accelerate its trade reforms with a view to improving efficiency and fully benefiting from its participation in the multilateral trading system.
> Press release

Supachai: Doha talks key to reviving the world economy

Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his opening remarks at the WTO public symposium “Challenges Ahead on the Road to Cancún” on 16 June 2003, said that it has become increasingly evident to political and business leaders the world over that the weak global economy urgently needs the stimulus of a significant trade liberalization.

Arbitrator gives US until 27 December to implement ruling in ‘Byrd Amendment’ dispute

An arbitrator says the United States should implement recommendations and rulings by 27 December 2003, in the two WTO disputes over the US’s Continued Dumping and Subsidy Offset Act of 2000. The complaining countries in these cases (DS217 and DS234) are Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, the EU, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and Thailand.
> Download the report in Word format (30 pages; 168KB) — in pdf format (30 pages; 84KB)
> All documentation on the case DS217            > Rulings only
> All documentation on the case DS234            > Rulings only
> More on Dispute Settlement

Africa urges end to cotton subsidies; Supachai warns “time running out” on Cancún preparations

President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, in his address to the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC) on 10 June 2003, urged an agreement at Cancún to reduce and eventually eliminate cotton subsidies. TNC Chairman Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his opening remarks, warned negotiators that “time is running out” on preparations for the Fifth Ministerial Conference.

Supachai supports Group of Eight consensus on Doha Development Agenda

Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, on 4 June 2003, welcomed the support of the Group of Eight nations for the timely conclusion to the Doha Development Agenda global trade talks, but urged leaders from the world’s richest nations to transform their pledges of support into action at the negotiating table so that an ambitious outcome can be achieved by the 1 January 2005 deadline.
> Press release

Supachai praises negotiators’ efforts in market access talks, urges governments to work toward agreement

Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, on 28 May 2003, praised negotiators from WTO Member Governments for the progress they have made in negotiations to reduce barriers to trade in manufactured products but urged governments to apply greater effort to narrow differences and agree on the framework for continuing work.
> Press release

WTO chief urges governments to find way forward in negotiations on DSU

Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi urged WTO Member Governments, on 28 May 2003, to find a pragmatic way forward in their negotiations on improvements and clarifications to the Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU).
> Press release

WTO Secretariat issues study on adjusting to trade liberalization

While economists emphasize the long-run gains from trade liberalization, policy makers are worried about the short-run costs. The WTO Secretariat, on 23 May 2003, issued Special Study No. 7 “Adjusting to Trade Liberalization — The Role of Policy, Institutions and WTO Disciplines”, which seeks to identify tools at the disposal of governments to smooth adjustment, to minimize an economy's adjustment costs and to alleviate the burden of those who suffer most.
> News item

DSB adopts panel report on Argentina's anti-dumping measures on poultry

The Dispute Settlement Body, on 19 May 2003, adopted the panel report on Brazil's complaint against Argentina's anti-dumping duties on poultry from Brazil (DS241).
> Summary of the meeting

Market access chairman issues first draft of “modalities” paper

The Chairman of the Non-Agricultural Market Access Negotiating Group, Ambassador Pierre-Louis Girard, on 16 May 2003 circulated the first draft of the “modalities” paper to member governments, ahead of the 26-28 May meeting of the Negotiating Group.
> News item

Dr. Supachai underlines need to conclude Doha talks successfully and on time

The Director-General, in a speech to the International Monetary and Financial Committee in Washington released on 16 May 2003, cited “compelling reasons” to conclude successfully the Doha Development agenda by the deadline of 1 January 2005. They include the uncertain global economic conditions, the spread of bilateral and regional trade arrangements and the need to guarantee more market access to developing countries.

WTO: New Zealand is “one of the most open economies in the world”

WTO members, in concluding their review of the trade polices and practices of New Zealand on 14 May 2003, said the country is a “vivid example of the benefits of unilateral market-oriented reform”. They hoped that New Zealand would take other members’ concerns in the negotiations, especially with regard to tariff peaks and SPS measures.
> Press release

Dr. Supachai consults on implementation issues

Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in his capacity as chairman of the Trade Negotiations Committee, held informal consultations with heads of delegations on 14 May 2003 to suggest a way of moving forward on the issue of the extension of additional protection for geographical indications to products other than wines and spirits.
> Statement by the TNC Chairman

‘Quantum jump’ needed if Viet Nam is to join in two years

Viet Nam reported progress, on 12 May 2003, in its membership negotiations, but several delegations said much more needs to be done, and the working group chairperson told members that “success will depend on a quantum jump” in efforts if Viet Nam is to meet its goal of joining by 2005.
> News item

World economic agencies call on G-8 to give a push to the Doha talks

WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, IMF Managing Director Horst Köhler and World Bank President James Wolfensohn, in a joint statement at the WTO General Council meeting on coherence on 13 May 2003, appealed to the G-8 leaders to “provide the political guidance that is needed to allow the trade negotiations to move forward again before the WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancún in September”.
> Joint statement
> Statement by WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi (MS Word format, 3 pages, 72KB)
> Statement by IMF Managing Director Horst Köhler (MS Word format, 4 pages, 54KB)
> Statement by World Bank President James Wolfensohn (MS Word format, 8 pages, 134KB)
> Statement by WTO General Council Chair Carlos Pérez Del Castillo (MS Word format, 6 pages, 38KB)
> Video highlights: start of the meeting and joint press conference (Windows Media format, 3 minutes) High bandwidth   Low   Medium

France contributes 1.5 million Swiss francs to WTO technical assistance fund

Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, on 12 May 2003, welcomed France's contribution of 1.5 million Swiss francs to the Doha Development Agenda Global Trust Fund.
> Press release

‘Avoiding the worst is no substitute for real progress,’ Supachai tells negotiators

A clear priority for about a dozen issues requiring action in or before the Cancún Ministerial Conference in September, is to reduce the load to “manageable proportions” by reaching understanding on as many of these issues as possible, Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi told the Trade Negotiations Committee, which he chairs, on 9 May 2003.
> Statement

WTO paper out on key issues in the tariff negotiations

The WTO Secretariat, on 6 May 2003, issued a comprehensive discussion paper on “Industrial Tariffs and the Doha Development Agenda”. Containing many tables and charts, the paper focuses on the basic mandate given to negotiators at Doha and looks at specific issues facing developed, developing and least-developed countries.
> Abstract

EU granted permission to apply US$4 billion sanctions against US in FSC case but delays application

The Dispute Settlement Body, on 7 May 2003, granted the European Union authorization to increase by US$4 billion its import tariffs on US goods. The EU said that they were still willing to give the US a short additional period to make the necessary legislative changes.
> Summary of the meeting

UN system heads urge Doha progress for global development

The executive heads of the 27 organizations of the UN system at their spring session in Paris on 25-26 April 2003 said progress in the Doha negotiations is “urgent because there are still more than 1 billion people in today's world living without enough food to eat, without safe water to drink, without primary schooling or healthcare for their children”.
> UN press release (link opens a new window)

Introduction course on WTO for LDCs begins

Government officials from 21 least-developed countries attended, on 6 May 2003, the opening session of the 3rd Introduction Course on WTO. The session was chaired by Mr. Paul Rolian, Director of the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation of the WTO, who welcomed all the participants.
> News item

End of textile quotas to strengthen WTO, says Dr. Supachai

WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi, in a speech at the Conference on the Future of Textiles and Clothing after 2005 on 5 May 2003 in Brussels, said “there is no question that the multilateral trading system will be strengthened by the full implementation of the WTO Agreement on Textiles and Clothing” at the end of 2004.
> See also concluding remarks by WTO Deputy Director-General Rana (Download in Word format, 6 pages, 50KB)

WTO Secretariat reports significant decline in new anti-dumping investigations

The WTO Secretariat, on 2 May 2003, reported that in the period 1 July–31 December 2002, 17 Members initiated 149 anti-dumping investigations against exports from a total of 43 different countries or customs territories. This represents a significant decline from the corresponding period of 2001, during which 23 WTO Members had initiated 210 anti-dumping investigations.
> Press release

Lead the way towards compromise, Supachai urges OECD ministers

WTO Director-General Supachai Panitchpakdi has called on ministers of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development to show leadership by making tough political decisions and showing a willingness to compromise in the Doha Development Agenda negotiations. Speaking in Paris, 30 April 2003, he said negotiators in Geneva lack instructions from their ministers in agriculture and other key areas, that are consistent with governments’ commitment to a successful outcome.
> News

Revised Working Procedures for Appellate Review

The Appellate Body circulated today (1 May 2003) a revised, consolidated version of its Working Procedures, modifying the rules governing third-party participation in oral hearings in appeals. The revised procedures come into effect today.
> Explanation           > Full text of the Working Procedures

25th WTO Trade Policy Course begins

Thirty government officials attended on 28 April 2003 the opening session of the 25th WTO Trade Policy Course, which is being held in English. The brief ceremony was chaired by Mr. Paul Rolian, Director of the Institute for Training and Technical Cooperation, who welcomed the participants.
> News item

DSB adopts compliance reports on EC anti-dumping duties on bed linen from India

On 24 April 2003, the Dispute Settlement Body adopted the compliance reports by the panel and Appellate Body on India's complaint against EC anti-dumping duties on imports of cotton-type bed linen from India (DS141).
> Summary of the meeting

WTO commends economic reform in SACU countries

WTO members, in concluding their trade policy review of members of the Southern African Customs Union (Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Swaziland) on 25 April 2003, commended the progress achieved in their economic reform programmes, and noted that trade and investment liberalization had played a key role in these programmes. They encouraged SACU countries to move ahead in implementing structural reforms, adding that trading partners can help by ensuring open markets and providing technical assistance to SACU.
> Press release

China, Egypt join WTO's Information Technology Agreement

China and Egypt, on 24 April 2003, joined a WTO agreement on removing all tariff barriers to information technology products such as personal computers and telecoms equipment.
> News item

Trade recovered in 2002, but uncertainty continues

Driven by strong demand in the United States and the big Asian economies, merchandise trade grew by 2.5% in 2002, up from a 1% decline in 2001, according to the latest WTO figures. But trade growth was uneven and masked the sluggish trade performance in many regions.
> Press release

Argentina’s anti-dumping measure found to violate WTO agreement

A WTO dispute panel has concluded that Argentina acted inconsistently with the WTO Anti-Dumping Agreement on a number of counts when it imposed anti-dumping duties on poultry from Brazil. The panel report in case DS241 was circulated on 22 April 2003. Canada, Chile, the EU, Guatemala, Paraguay and the US were third parties in this case.
> Download the panel report (WT/DS241/R):

> All documentation on the case DS241
> More on Dispute Settlement

Cambodia moves closer to membership by Cancún

A tight schedule was agreed at the 16 April 2003 working party meeting for Cambodia’s WTO membership negotiation to end in July. This would allow the possibility for all the formalities to be completed by the Fifth WTO Ministerial Conference in Cancún, 10–14 September 2003, but a lot of work remains on completing bilateral negotiations and the final multilateral package.
> News

DSB adopts panel report on Argentina's import measures on peaches

On 15 April 2003, the Dispute Settlement Body adopted the panel report on Chile's complaint against Argentina's safeguard measures on imports of preserved peaches (DS238).
> Summary of the meeting