China accuses US of undermining WTO with tariffs, sanctions

China accuses US of undermining WTO with tariffs, sanctions

The United States has been undermining the rules-based multilateral trading system since the new administration took office in 2025, China’s Ministry of Commerce said on Friday, citing repeated use of discriminatory policies, reciprocal tariffs, and unilateral sanctions that contravene WTO commitments. In a 2025 assessment, the ministry said it will intensify action at the WTO, … Read more

Why America is set to lose its mercantilist game

Why America is set to lose its mercantilist game

Under Donald Trump, the world has taken a sharp turn back toward the 17th century doctrine of mercantilism — the notion that trade is a zero-sum game in which countries should be self-sufficient and focus on exporting far more than they import. It worked for Louis XIV and other early European empires, and the aim … Read more

Beijing files WTO suit against Canada, opposes EU sanctions on Iran

Beijing files WTO suit against Canada, opposes EU sanctions on Iran

China deepened a trade spat with Canada, filing a lawsuit at the World Trade Organization over import restrictions on steel just days after slapping fresh duties on Canadian canola. The WTO case targets tariffs and quotas on steel. Those measures were “typical trade protectionism” that disregarded China’s legitimate rights and interests and flouted WTO rules, … Read more

Higher trade policy uncertainty, new tariffs may weigh on global trade: WTO

Higher trade policy uncertainty, new tariffs may weigh on global trade: WTO

Increased trade policy uncertainty and prospects of new tariffs could weigh on global trade in the medium term, the World Trade Organisation (WTO) said Wednesday. As per the organisation’s Goods Trade Barometer, global goods trade appeared to remain steady in the fourth quarter of 2024 and looked set to continue growing in the first months … Read more

India offered sugarcane sop vastly in excess of WTO limits: US and Australia

India offered sugarcane sop vastly in excess of WTO limits: US and Australia

New Delhi: US and Australia alleged India of giving subsidies to sugarcane farmers far exceeding limits set in global trade norms.The two countries told the WTO that they estimated that over the period 2018-19 to 2021-22, New Delhi provided sugarcane subsidy between 91-100%, which was “vastly in excess of the limits set out” at 10% … Read more

Global trade growth to rebound this year; geopolitical tensions pose downside risks: WTO forecast

Global trade growth to rebound this year; geopolitical tensions pose downside risks: WTO forecast

New Delhi: The global trade growth is expected to pick up gradually this year after a contraction in 2023 but regional conflicts, geopolitical tensions and economic policy uncertainty pose substantial downside risks, according to a WTO forecast released on Wednesday. The World Trade Organisation (WTO), however, lowered the trade growth projection for 2024 to 2.6 … Read more

Despite hectic discussions, WTO MC13 ends with no deals on fisheries, agriculture

Despite hectic discussions, WTO MC13 ends with no deals on fisheries, agriculture

Delegates attend the 13th WTO ministerial conference in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. File | Photo Credit: Reuters The talks at the WTO’s ministerial conference ended with no decision on key issues such as finding a permanent solution to public food stockpile and on curbing fisheries subsidies that lead to over-capacity and over-fishing, sources said. … Read more

Over 70 WTO nations agree to take additional obligations in services sector; India to benefit

Over 70 WTO nations agree to take additional obligations in services sector; India to benefit

India would benefit from a move of over 70 nations like the UK, UAE and Australia that have agreed to take on additional obligations in the services sector under an agreement of the WTO, an official said on Tuesday. These WTO (World Trade Organisation) members are taking the additional obligations under the General Agreement on … Read more

WTO MC13 | What’s on the agenda for India?

WTO MC13 | What’s on the agenda for India?

India will strongly oppose a China-led proposal for an investment facilitation pact besides pressing for finding a permanent solution to public stock holding of grains for food security and protection of the interests of fishermen at the upcoming WTO ministerial meeting. The Indian delegation is led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The four-day … Read more

Why it could be a little hard for India to clinch favourable free trade pacts with UK, European Union

Why it could be a little hard for India to clinch favourable free trade pacts with UK, European Union

Around this time last year, India and the UK looked ready to sign a free trade deal: the deadline set by former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was Diwali. That did not materialise. On October 26, a couple of days after the festival of lights, then UK trade minister Greg Hands said in British Parliament … Read more