The digital trade sphere was also a topic of discussion, with the US sticking to its longstanding position against tariffs on digital services despite some WTO members showing interest in allowing such tariffs on digitally delivered services. The current moratorium, in place since 1998, faces potential cessation if members do not agree to extend it.
As the WTO endeavors to adapt to contemporary global trading system demands, the outcomes from the 13th ministerial conference will inevitably influence global trade dynamics, including the balance between fostering development in emerging economies and aligning with modern digitalized commerce.
The meeting in the UAE addressed challenges to free trade, catalyzed by conflicts and climate change. The US aims to improve WTO transparency, modernize negotiations, and enhance dispute resolution abilities. Tai met with China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, continuing a dialogue about the complex trade relationship and ongoing review of US tariffs on Chinese goods instantiated by the previous US administration.
Goyal’s remarks also homed in on the urgency of addressing developing countries’ concerns at the WTO, ensuring issues such as public food stockholding are expedited fairly. He contested the introduction of non-trade concerns, like labor and environmental standards, into the WTO agenda by developed nations, arguing that other respective bodies should handle such issues.
At a pivotal conference in Abu Dhabi on February 28, 2024, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stressed India’s role as a consensus builder within the World Trade Organisation (WTO), despite allegations from some developed nations that India is an obstructionist in deal-making processes. Addressing reporters, Goyal emphasized India’s consistency in playing a crucial part in fostering agreement and highlighted the need to pinpoint countries thwarting smooth operations within the WTO.
On trade strategies, Goyal expressed confidence in achieving equitable outcomes that safeguard the interests of India’s farmers and fishermen. He voiced strong opposition to a China-led group’s proposal about including investment facilitation for development (IFD) within WTO’s purview, arguing that investment is outside of WTO’s traditional scope—a position India and other nations have made clear to WTO Secretariat.
During the WTO’s 13th ministerial conference, Goyal pointed out that restoring credibility and effectiveness to the body’s dispute resolution mechanism was a prime concern for India. He singled out the need for a functional appellate body (AB) to hold nations accountable for unfair trade practices or deviations from WTO rules. The deadlock in the AB, caused by a halt in appointments initiated by the US since December 2019, has allowed over twenty appeals to pile up without resolution.
Goyal’s remarks also homed in on the urgency of addressing developing countries’ concerns at the WTO, ensuring issues such as public food stockholding are expedited fairly. He contested the introduction of non-trade concerns, like labor and environmental standards, into the WTO agenda by developed nations, arguing that other respective bodies should handle such issues.
At a pivotal conference in Abu Dhabi on February 28, 2024, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stressed India’s role as a consensus builder within the World Trade Organisation (WTO), despite allegations from some developed nations that India is an obstructionist in deal-making processes. Addressing reporters, Goyal emphasized India’s consistency in playing a crucial part in fostering agreement and highlighted the need to pinpoint countries thwarting smooth operations within the WTO.
Simultaneously, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai maintained optimism about the efficiency and strategic discussions at the conference, advocating for a WTO that evolves in response to global economic changes. Recognizing the organization’s convening power, Tai held back on US-specific strategies but acknowledged the crucial participation of Piyush Goyal in forthcoming negotiations on agriculture and electronic commerce.
Goyal’s remarks also homed in on the urgency of addressing developing countries’ concerns at the WTO, ensuring issues such as public food stockholding are expedited fairly. He contested the introduction of non-trade concerns, like labor and environmental standards, into the WTO agenda by developed nations, arguing that other respective bodies should handle such issues.
On trade strategies, Goyal expressed confidence in achieving equitable outcomes that safeguard the interests of India’s farmers and fishermen. He voiced strong opposition to a China-led group’s proposal about including investment facilitation for development (IFD) within WTO’s purview, arguing that investment is outside of WTO’s traditional scope—a position India and other nations have made clear to WTO Secretariat.
During the WTO’s 13th ministerial conference, Goyal pointed out that restoring credibility and effectiveness to the body’s dispute resolution mechanism was a prime concern for India. He singled out the need for a functional appellate body (AB) to hold nations accountable for unfair trade practices or deviations from WTO rules. The deadlock in the AB, caused by a halt in appointments initiated by the US since December 2019, has allowed over twenty appeals to pile up without resolution.
Goyal’s remarks also homed in on the urgency of addressing developing countries’ concerns at the WTO, ensuring issues such as public food stockholding are expedited fairly. He contested the introduction of non-trade concerns, like labor and environmental standards, into the WTO agenda by developed nations, arguing that other respective bodies should handle such issues.
At a pivotal conference in Abu Dhabi on February 28, 2024, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stressed India’s role as a consensus builder within the World Trade Organisation (WTO), despite allegations from some developed nations that India is an obstructionist in deal-making processes. Addressing reporters, Goyal emphasized India’s consistency in playing a crucial part in fostering agreement and highlighted the need to pinpoint countries thwarting smooth operations within the WTO.
The meeting in the UAE addressed challenges to free trade, catalyzed by conflicts and climate change. The US aims to improve WTO transparency, modernize negotiations, and enhance dispute resolution abilities. Tai met with China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, continuing a dialogue about the complex trade relationship and ongoing review of US tariffs on Chinese goods instantiated by the previous US administration.
On trade strategies, Goyal expressed confidence in achieving equitable outcomes that safeguard the interests of India’s farmers and fishermen. He voiced strong opposition to a China-led group’s proposal about including investment facilitation for development (IFD) within WTO’s purview, arguing that investment is outside of WTO’s traditional scope—a position India and other nations have made clear to WTO Secretariat.
Simultaneously, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai maintained optimism about the efficiency and strategic discussions at the conference, advocating for a WTO that evolves in response to global economic changes. Recognizing the organization’s convening power, Tai held back on US-specific strategies but acknowledged the crucial participation of Piyush Goyal in forthcoming negotiations on agriculture and electronic commerce.
Goyal’s remarks also homed in on the urgency of addressing developing countries’ concerns at the WTO, ensuring issues such as public food stockholding are expedited fairly. He contested the introduction of non-trade concerns, like labor and environmental standards, into the WTO agenda by developed nations, arguing that other respective bodies should handle such issues.
On trade strategies, Goyal expressed confidence in achieving equitable outcomes that safeguard the interests of India’s farmers and fishermen. He voiced strong opposition to a China-led group’s proposal about including investment facilitation for development (IFD) within WTO’s purview, arguing that investment is outside of WTO’s traditional scope—a position India and other nations have made clear to WTO Secretariat.
During the WTO’s 13th ministerial conference, Goyal pointed out that restoring credibility and effectiveness to the body’s dispute resolution mechanism was a prime concern for India. He singled out the need for a functional appellate body (AB) to hold nations accountable for unfair trade practices or deviations from WTO rules. The deadlock in the AB, caused by a halt in appointments initiated by the US since December 2019, has allowed over twenty appeals to pile up without resolution.
Goyal’s remarks also homed in on the urgency of addressing developing countries’ concerns at the WTO, ensuring issues such as public food stockholding are expedited fairly. He contested the introduction of non-trade concerns, like labor and environmental standards, into the WTO agenda by developed nations, arguing that other respective bodies should handle such issues.
At a pivotal conference in Abu Dhabi on February 28, 2024, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stressed India’s role as a consensus builder within the World Trade Organisation (WTO), despite allegations from some developed nations that India is an obstructionist in deal-making processes. Addressing reporters, Goyal emphasized India’s consistency in playing a crucial part in fostering agreement and highlighted the need to pinpoint countries thwarting smooth operations within the WTO.
The digital trade sphere was also a topic of discussion, with the US sticking to its longstanding position against tariffs on digital services despite some WTO members showing interest in allowing such tariffs on digitally delivered services. The current moratorium, in place since 1998, faces potential cessation if members do not agree to extend it.
Simultaneously, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai maintained optimism about the efficiency and strategic discussions at the conference, advocating for a WTO that evolves in response to global economic changes. Recognizing the organization’s convening power, Tai held back on US-specific strategies but acknowledged the crucial participation of Piyush Goyal in forthcoming negotiations on agriculture and electronic commerce.
The meeting in the UAE addressed challenges to free trade, catalyzed by conflicts and climate change. The US aims to improve WTO transparency, modernize negotiations, and enhance dispute resolution abilities. Tai met with China’s Commerce Minister Wang Wentao, continuing a dialogue about the complex trade relationship and ongoing review of US tariffs on Chinese goods instantiated by the previous US administration.
On trade strategies, Goyal expressed confidence in achieving equitable outcomes that safeguard the interests of India’s farmers and fishermen. He voiced strong opposition to a China-led group’s proposal about including investment facilitation for development (IFD) within WTO’s purview, arguing that investment is outside of WTO’s traditional scope—a position India and other nations have made clear to WTO Secretariat.
Simultaneously, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai maintained optimism about the efficiency and strategic discussions at the conference, advocating for a WTO that evolves in response to global economic changes. Recognizing the organization’s convening power, Tai held back on US-specific strategies but acknowledged the crucial participation of Piyush Goyal in forthcoming negotiations on agriculture and electronic commerce.
Goyal’s remarks also homed in on the urgency of addressing developing countries’ concerns at the WTO, ensuring issues such as public food stockholding are expedited fairly. He contested the introduction of non-trade concerns, like labor and environmental standards, into the WTO agenda by developed nations, arguing that other respective bodies should handle such issues.
On trade strategies, Goyal expressed confidence in achieving equitable outcomes that safeguard the interests of India’s farmers and fishermen. He voiced strong opposition to a China-led group’s proposal about including investment facilitation for development (IFD) within WTO’s purview, arguing that investment is outside of WTO’s traditional scope—a position India and other nations have made clear to WTO Secretariat.
During the WTO’s 13th ministerial conference, Goyal pointed out that restoring credibility and effectiveness to the body’s dispute resolution mechanism was a prime concern for India. He singled out the need for a functional appellate body (AB) to hold nations accountable for unfair trade practices or deviations from WTO rules. The deadlock in the AB, caused by a halt in appointments initiated by the US since December 2019, has allowed over twenty appeals to pile up without resolution.
Goyal’s remarks also homed in on the urgency of addressing developing countries’ concerns at the WTO, ensuring issues such as public food stockholding are expedited fairly. He contested the introduction of non-trade concerns, like labor and environmental standards, into the WTO agenda by developed nations, arguing that other respective bodies should handle such issues.
At a pivotal conference in Abu Dhabi on February 28, 2024, Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal stressed India’s role as a consensus builder within the World Trade Organisation (WTO), despite allegations from some developed nations that India is an obstructionist in deal-making processes. Addressing reporters, Goyal emphasized India’s consistency in playing a crucial part in fostering agreement and highlighted the need to pinpoint countries thwarting smooth operations within the WTO.