World Trade Organization Notices for July 17-18
The World Trade Organization (WTO) posted the following notices from July 17-18 (may have to click twice on source documents for proper viewing):
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- Tobacco products dispute. The Dominican Republic notified the WTO Secretariat of a request for consultations with Australia “on certain measures concerning trademarks, geographical indications and other plain packaging requirements applicable to tobacco products and packaging.” In March and April 2012, Ukraine and Honduras requested consultations with Australia on this issue. This is a first step in the WTO dispute settlement system and if no solution is found within 60 days, the EU can request a WTO Panel to be established to rule on the legality.(here)
- Latest Doha Round report findings. Director-General Pascal Lamy reported to the informal Heads of Delegation on July 17 that the trade facilitation negotiations are “continuing to make progress.” Other topics Lamy said were discussed included special and differential treatment and Dispute Settlement Understanding reform. (here)
- Chinese electronic payment services dispute. A dispute panel report was issued in the case “China — Certain Measures Affecting Electronic Payment Services” (DS413). The U.S. claimed that China assumed market access and national treatment commitments to permit the supply of Electronic Payment Systems both on a cross-border basis and through commercial presence. Some accusations made by the U.S. were rejected, but the Panel found that China retains the company China UnionPay as a monopoly supplier for clearing certain types of RMB-denominated payment card transactions. (here)
- Trade's development focus. The Committee on Trade and Development (CTD) met and members discussed proposals to strengthen the CTD as a focal point for development work. Electronic commerce and technical assistance activities were discussed in the context of development issues. Members discussed a proposal by Cuba and Ecuador which calls for an update to a Secretariat document on the implementation of special and differential treatment provisions. (here)