The WTO TBT Committee met July 7-10, 2026, addressing standards for critical/emerging technologies, climate-resilient buildings, and lithium-ion batteries. The Committee adopted improvements to transparency procedures and digital notification tools. Members also reviewed 70 specific trade concerns.
Topic Archives:Fta
WTO DG Calls for Simultaneous Progress on Reform and Negotiations at General Council Meeting
WTO Director-General Okonjo-Iweala urged members to advance both institutional reform and outstanding negotiations simultaneously at the July 14-15 General Council meeting. Members adopted several decisions in favor of developing and least-developed countries following MC14. The DG framed reform and negotiations as two sides of the same coin requiring parallel progress.
EU submits three papers to advance WTO reform discussions
The EU submitted three papers to the WTO outlining proposals for reforming the organization’s work, supporting a new phase of WTO reform discussions among members. The submissions come as member-level discussions become more substantive.
EU Publishes 2026 GSP Implementation Report
The European Commission and High Representative published a joint report on implementation of the EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP), the bloc’s primary trade policy tool for supporting developing country exports. The report assesses the scheme’s contribution to sustainable economic growth. GSP grants preferential tariff access to eligible developing countries.
WTO General Council July 2026: UK Statements
The UK delivered statements at the WTO General Council meeting in July 2026, presented by the UK’s Permanent Representative Kumar Iyer. The statements cover UK positions on WTO matters discussed at the General Council. Specific policy positions and outcomes are contained in the full text.
Temporary Exception List for Automotive Products under Economic Complementation Agreement No. 14 (ACE-14)
Brazil’s MDIC/CAMEX published the temporary exception list for automotive products under ACE-14, the bilateral trade agreement between Brazil and Argentina. This list governs preferential tariff treatment and exceptions for automotive sector trade between the two Mercosur members.
United States and Mexico to Hold Third USMCA Joint Review Bilateral Negotiating Round in Mexico City
The US and Mexico will meet in Mexico City on July 21 for three days for the third bilateral negotiating round of the USMCA Joint Review. Discussions will focus on trade in steel and aluminum and de minimis (implied by snippet truncation). This is part of the formal USMCA review process.
Ambassador Greer to Travel to Mexico for Continued USMCA Joint Review Bilateral Talks
USTR Ambassador Greer will travel to Mexico July 22-24 for bilateral talks with Secretary Ebrard as part of the USMCA Joint Review process. Discussions will cover steel and aluminum and derivative products, automobiles, economic security, and labor. This is a continuation of ongoing USMCA review negotiations.
Ambassador Greer Signs the U.S.-Jordan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade
USTR Ambassador Greer and Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply signed the United States–Jordan Agreement on Reciprocal Trade on July 21, 2026. The agreement aims to expand market access for American exporters and deepen economic ties between the two countries. Specific substantive trade measures are referenced as part of the deal.
Indonesia Pushes for IP-CEPA Ratification, Minister: Peru as Gateway to South American Exports
Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso is urging parliament to expedite ratification of the Indonesia-Peru Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IP-CEPA). The minister frames Peru as a gateway for Indonesian exports to South America. The push focuses on accelerating the formal legislative process to bring the agreement into force.