These rules allow poor and developing nations to enjoy special provisions such as a longer time period to implement agreements and commitments, and clauses to safeguard their trade interests
The meeting of 25 WTO member countries on May 13-14 here is expected to come out with a declaration on critical issues including 'special and differential treatment' for developing nations and impasse over the appointment of members to the appellate body of dispute settlement, sources said. The other issues that could figure in the meeting include fishery subsidies and public stockholding in agriculture, they said. India has convened a meeting of 25 developing member nations of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on May 13-14 here. The meet assumes significance as several countries are raising questions over the relevance of the Geneva-based global trade body. Many countries are also taking protectionist measures, impacting global trade. "The idea of the meeting is to discuss these matters in detail and 'special and differential treatment' (S&D) is the core issue which would be deliberated upon," one of the sources said. As part of reforms at the WTO, the US wants the formulation .
Indian negotiators at WTO need to push harder
Most of the WTO's 164 members claim to be developing, including major trading powers like China and India and some of the richest countries in the world
India missing out in shaping 21st-century trading norms
He explained that the vast majority of job losses that have driven some of the anti-trade sentiment are actually caused by technology rather than imports
The basic tenets of the WTO, in opposing protectionism and supporting free trade should not change, Chinese State Councillor Wang Yi said
WTO DG Roberto Azevedo said the number reflects that "we are heading in the wrong direction, and we seem to be speeding up"
"Every contact that I have in the U.S. administration assures me that they are engaging," he said
Too many countries were not following WTO rules, he complained, and too many wealthier members had been given unfair exemptions as developing countries.
Commerce Minister Suresh Prabhu has indicated that seeking a permanent solution to food issue may not be a priority
Move may reduce India's space to seek a permanent solution to public stockholding of food
As the country faces a tough fight on issues it considers dear at the WTO