SC Meeting on WTO Reform, 19 September 2018
Title: Meeting to Discuss Proposals and Ideas Some Have Floated on ‘WTO Reform’
Date and Time: 19 September 2018, 1-4.30 PM
Venue: South Centre, Geneva
Organizer: The South Centre
Trade and Investment
Policy Brief 51, September 2018
US Claims under Special Section 301 against China Undermine the Credibility of the WTO
By Nirmalya Syam and Dr. Carlos M. Correa
The US action to place China in the Special 301 ‘Priority Watch List’ is unjustified and in contravention to the WTO rules. The claims made against China are based on standards self-determined by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), not on international standards. This is an example of a systemic problem that requires a concerted response. WTO members should unite to firmly oppose the imposition of unilateral measures that undermine the multilateral trading system and the credibility of WTO as a ruled-based institution.
Research Paper 86, September 2018
US’ Section 301 Actions: Why They are Illegitimate and Misguided
By Aileen Kwa and Peter Lunenborg
This research paper examines the US’ Section 301 unilateral actions against China, stemming from the US’ concerns over China’s ambitious industrial policies and its rapid technological advancements. It outlines the accusations of the US regarding China’s conditions for technology transfer and what the US sees as overly intrusive Chinese government involvement in investments. It looks in detail at why the US’ actions are in fact illegitimate and misguided. (more…)
WTO Public Forum, October 2018
Title: WTO Rules for Ensuring Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security: An SDG Compatibility Analysis
Date: 3 October 2018
Venue: The World Trade Organization, Geneva
Organizer: Third World Network (TWN) India, Bangladesh Krishok Federation, More and Better Network
WTO Public Forum, October 2018
Title: #Leave No Woman Behind – Furthering gender equality in the digital economy
Date: 4 October 2018
Venue: The World Trade Organization, Geneva
Organizer: Development Alternatives with Women for a New Era Network (DAWN), Federación Argentina de Empleados de Comercio y Servicios (FAECYS)
Pager on US’ Section 301 Actions are Illegitimate and Misguided, 24 August 2018
US’ Section 301 Actions are Illegitimate and Misguided
On 23rd August, the US Administration imposed yet another set of discriminatory tariffs on China under its Section 301 Trade Act covering US$16 billion of its imports from China. This is in addition to the additional tariffs imposed on 6 July 2018 on US$34 billion of its imports from China. According to the US, these actions are supposedly because of China’s unreasonable or discriminatory practices relating to technology transfer, intellectual property and innovation.
SouthViews No. 170, 9 August 2018
The Imperative of Protecting and Respecting Indigenous Peoples’ Rights to Their Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions and Genetic Resources in the Intellectual Property Rights Regime under the WTO and WIPO
By Victoria Tauli-Corpuz
Victoria Tauli-Corpuz, UN Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Member of the South Centre’s Board, made a presentation, reproduced below, about ‘The Imperative of Protecting and Respecting Indigenous Peoples’ Rights to Their Traditional Knowledge, Traditional Cultural Expressions and Genetic Resources in the Intellectual Property Rights Regime under the WTO and WIPO’ at the International Conference on the TRIPS-CBD Linkage: Issues and Way Forward, held at the Palais des Nations, Geneva on 7-8 June 2018. The conference was jointly organized by the South Centre, the Centre for WTO Studies, New Delhi and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, and co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Brazil, India, Indonesia and South Africa to the WTO. (more…)
SC Conference on TRIPS-CBD, 7-8 June 2018
Title: International Conference on TRIPS-CBD Linkage: Issues and Way Forward
Date: 7-8 June 2018
Venue: Room IX, Palais des Nations, Geneva
Organizers: The South Centre, Centre for WTO Studies and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade, co-sponsored by the Permanent Missions of Brazil, India, Indonesia and South Africa to the WTO
SC Lunch Briefing with the Executive Director, 17 April 2018
Title: The Global South Facing a New Era of Unilateralism and Protectionism: Challenges and Prospects
Date: Tuesday, 17 April 2018, 13h00-15h00
Venue: Room XXIII, Palais des Nations, Geneva
Organizers: The South Centre
Investment Policy Brief 11, May 2018
The Cooperation and Facilitation Investment Agreement (CFIA) in the context of the discussions on the reform of the ISDS system
The Brazilian Cooperation and Facilitation Investment Agreement (CFIA) model establishes an alternative approach to dispute resolution. This does not mean, however, that the CFIA is silent with regards to possible disputes arising from breaches to the agreement and/or claims by investors. Based on the premise that the investment regime between two or more countries is a positive-sum game, in which all parties involved win, the CFIA presents an approach based on the prevention of disputes.
SouthViews No. 166, 16 March 2018
Trump’s launch of a global trade war
By Martin Khor
Last week’s action by President Donald Trump has ended the United States’ leadership on liberal trade and may trigger a global trade war with major damaging consequences. On 8 March, Trump signed a proclamation to raise tariffs of steel by 25% and aluminium by 10%. It sent shockwaves across the world not only because of the losses to metal exporters, but due to what it could well signify: the start of a global trade war causing economic disruption in many countries, and that may also damage if not destroy the multilateral trade system. (more…)
SouthViews No. 165, 8 March 2018
The new CPTPP trade pact is much like the old TPP
By Martin Khor
The new agreement that eleven countries are signing on 8 March in Chile in place of the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) is like old wine in a new bottle — without the United States but retaining most of its controversial elements. The TPP seemed to have died when President Donald Trump pulled the United States out of it early last year. But the remaining 11 members have rescued it almost intact, giving it a new name, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). (more…)