The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed at its meeting on 26 July to requests from South Africa for the establishment of two dispute panels to review European Union measures affecting the import of South African citrus fruit into the EU. The DSB also considered a request from China for a panel to examine US tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act.

26 July 2024

The WTO issued today (25 July) the 2024 edition of World Tariff Profiles, a joint publication of the WTO, International Trade Centre (ITC) and UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The publication provides comprehensive information on the tariffs and non-tariff measures imposed by over 170 countries and customs territories.

25 July 2024

At a meeting of the Informal Working Group (IWG) on Trade and Gender on 25 July, the Gambia announced it has officially joined the group, underlining its commitment to advancing gender equality in trade. Members welcomed the recent launch of an online database that brings together financial inclusion initiatives for women entrepreneurs and shared experiences on enhancing women’s access to leadership and decision-making roles in trade negotiations.

25 July 2024

Sports goods trade has seen a massive boost in recent years, with increased spending by a variety of consumers, ranging from fitness fanatics to aspiring Olympic athletes. Since 1996, trade in sports goods has tripled, with annual imports reaching nearly US$ 64 billion in 2022. Over this period, China has emerged as the leading exporter, while the European Union and the United States have become major importers.

24 July 2024

At a meeting on 24 July, coordinators of the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (DPP) outlined points of focus for their work over the coming months, gearing towards achieving concrete, pragmatic, and effective outcomes by the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14).

24 July 2024

FIFA and the WTO have published a study that analyses the impact of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on the economy, trade and society, both in the two host countries, Australia and New Zealand, and around the world.

23 July 2024

Jordan deposited its instrument of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies on 23 July. Ambassador Walid Obeidat presented Jordan’s instrument of acceptance to Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Deputy Director-General Angela Ellard.

23 July 2024

France is donating approximately EUR 6 million (CHF 5.8 million) over the period 2024-2026 to finance WTO technical assistance programmes aimed at helping government officials from developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs) better understand and implement more effectively global trade rules and standards. France’s Permanent Representative to the WTO Ambassador Etienne Oudot de Dainville announced the contribution at a signing ceremony with WTO Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang held on 23 July 2024 at the WTO.

23 July 2024

At a ceremony at the start of the General Council meeting on 22 July, Comoros and Timor-Leste handed over to WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala their acceptance of the WTO Protocols of Accession, setting both countries on course to formally become the 165th and 166th members of the WTO in late August. Comoros and Timor-Leste also handed over to the Director-General their respective instruments of acceptance of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

22 July 2024

Fifty-eight WTO members took the floor at a 22 July meeting of the WTO General Council to voice support for a proposal from the African Group calling for an early start to the Director-General selection process and asking the incumbent, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, to make herself available to serve a second term. Members also considered proposals to set out a work programme for future negotiations on agriculture and to incorporate the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement into the WTO framework.

22 July 2024