SC meeting on Brexit and WTO, October 2018
Title: Brexit and WTO
Date: 15 October 2018
Venue: The South Centre, Geneva
Organizer: The South Centre
Title: Brexit and WTO
Date: 15 October 2018
Venue: The South Centre, Geneva
Organizer: The South Centre
This update provides a snapshot of the publications and social media activities of the South Centre during the month of September 2018.
Title: Intellectual Property and Health: The Use of TRIPS Flexibilities to Achieve SDGs
Date and Time: 2 October 2018, 11:30-13:00
Venue: Room S1, The World Trade Organization (WTO), Geneva
Organizer: The South Centre
South Centre Statement for the Informal Consultation on the Roadmap on Access to Medicines
The draft roadmap is an important work in progress that needs to be further detailed with clear deliverables and timelines. The roadmap will need to ensure complementarity of its work and the implementation of the Global Strategy and Plan of Action on Public Health, Innovation and Intellectual Property (GSPOA).
Title: Meeting on E-Commerce, the Digital Economy and WTO
Date and Time: 5 October 2018, 1-5.30 PM
Venue: South Centre, Geneva
Organizer: The South Centre, Centre for WTO Studies and the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
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
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.
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…)
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
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)
This update provides a snapshot of the publications and social media activities of the South Centre during the month of 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.