The eighth review of the trade policies and practices of Norway takes place on 30 June and 2 July 2025. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Norway.

30 June 2025

On 27 June, the Informal Working Group on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) marked MSME Day, announcing two new Small Business Champions. At its meeting on 26 June, the Group continued discussions on implementing the 2020 MSME Package and strategies to prepare for the 14th Ministerial Conference, due to take place in March 2026 in Cameroon. Participants explored key topics, with a particular focus on supporting MSMEs in their digital trade transformation and sharing key takeaways from a recent session with the private sector on current trade challenges.

27 June 2025

At a meeting of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) on 26-27 June, WTO members actively engaged in addressing key aspects of intellectual property (IP), including technology transfer, patent information and trade-related IP data. Members were also updated on notifications under various provisions of the TRIPS Agreement and continued talks on how to proceed on the review of implementation of the Agreement.

27 June 2025

During the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee week held from 24 to 27 June, WTO members discussed development-related issues, the role of technical assistance in supporting implementation of the TBT Agreement, and ways to enhance transparency and engagement on regulatory measures. Members raised 78 concerns, of which 20 were new.

27 June 2025

Global goods trade posted a strong uptick in early 2025 driven by importers frontloading purchases ahead of anticipated higher tariffs; however, weakening export orders suggest that this momentum may not be sustained. The latest WTO Goods Trade Barometer rose to 103.5 — up from 102.8 in March, while the forward-looking new export orders index fell to 97.9, pointing to weaker trade growth later in the year.

26 June 2025

New Zealand is contributing NZ$ 150,000 (approximately CHF 74,000) to the WTO’s Fish Fund to assist developing members and least-developed country (LDC) members implement the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

26 June 2025

At a meeting of the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session on 25 June, Ambassador Ali Sarfraz Hussain of Pakistan, the Chair of the agriculture negotiations, briefed members on his recent consultations, including prospects for progress ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in March 2026. WTO members voiced their support for realistic and pragmatic, results-oriented work and stressed the need for credible, concrete outcomes.

25 June 2025

At a meeting of the Committee on Agriculture on 23-24 June, WTO members reviewed developments on various topics, including food security, technology transfer and efforts to enhance transparency. Members also engaged in their routine examination of each other’s agricultural policies, with a view to gaining a fuller understanding of their implementation of WTO agricultural obligations. Diego Alfieri of Brazil was appointed as the new Chair of the Committee.

24 June 2025

The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed at its meeting on 23 June to establish two new dispute panels. At the request of China, a panel will examine surtax measures imposed by Canada on certain products of Chinese origin, including electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products. At the request of Canada, a panel will review additional import duties imposed by China on certain Canadian agricultural and fisheries products.

23 June 2025

The sixth edition of Trade and Environment Week will take place from 30 June to 4 July at the WTO headquarters in Geneva and online. The event will feature 15 public sessions organized by WTO members, focusing on a wide range of issues at the intersection of trade and the environment. It will also include a meeting of the WTO Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE).

20 June 2025