WTO General Council met on 5-6 October 2026 to discuss WTO reform, follow-up on past ministerial conference outcomes, and ongoing negotiations. Members also took up the Agreement on Electronic Commerce, emerging agricultural trade issues, and preparations for future ministerial conferences.
Topic Archives:Fta
WTO Committee on Agriculture reviews member farm policies and notifications
The WTO Committee on Agriculture met on 24-25 September to review members’ implementation of commitments and notifications. Members discussed a counter-notification by Australia challenging India’s sugar support policies. The FAO also briefed the committee on the global state of farming.
WTO Director-General flags slow pace as TNC reviews post-MC14 negotiating agenda
The WTO Trade Negotiations Committee met on 1 October 2026 to assess progress six months after MC14 in Yaoundé. Chairs of negotiating bodies reported on the state of play across various negotiating tracks. The Director-General expressed concerns about the pace of negotiations.
Notice to Exporters: UK CPTPP Accession Impact on Certificates of Free Sale for Cosmetic Products
The UK government has issued a notice to exporters detailing how the UK’s accession to CPTPP affects Certificates of Free Sale (CFS) for cosmetic products. The notice addresses market access implications for cosmetics exporters under the new FTA framework.
Brazil Regulates Tariff-Rate Quotas Under Mercosur–EFTA Agreement
The Brazilian government has issued regulations operationalizing tariff-rate quotas negotiated under the Mercosur–EFTA trade agreement. The measure covers specific product categories including wines, cheeses, infant formula, and chocolates from EFTA member countries. This step implements commitments made during the agreement’s negotiation.
United States and Mexico Announce Course of Remediation at Corporación de Occidente Facility
The US and Mexico announced a formal course of remediation at the Corporación de Occidente tire manufacturing facility in El Salto, Jalisco — the fourteenth such agreement under the USMCA rapid response labor mechanism. The action targets workers’ rights at the automotive and specialty tire plant.
Chair’s Statement of the G20 Trade Ministerial
USTR Ambassador Jamieson Greer chaired the G20 Trade Ministerial in Milwaukee, where all G20 members reached consensus on a statement addressing the weaponization of food through coercive trade actions. The ministerial produced substantive outcomes on trade policy including food security and trade coercion. Greer issued a chair’s statement summarizing the results.
USTR Seeks Public Comment on the 2027 Joint Review of USMCA
USTR has launched a public consultation process ahead of the 2027 mandatory joint review of the USMCA, as directed by Congress. The office is soliciting public comments on the agreement’s operation and will hold a public hearing. Dates and submission details are forthcoming.
Thailand-UAE CEPA Talks Advance as Deputy PM Meets UAE Foreign Trade Minister
Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun met with UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi to discuss progress on the Thailand-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). Both sides exchanged views on trade, investment, and ways to expand bilateral economic cooperation. The meeting focused on advancing CEPA negotiations and […]
ASEAN Partners with EU on Digital Trade Principles, Signs New Joint Declaration with UK on Green Economy, Advances Trade Cooperation with Russia and Switzerland
At the ASEAN Economic Ministers meetings with dialogue partners, ASEAN and the EU agreed to develop digital trade principles to promote open, transparent, and fair markets. ASEAN and the UK endorsed a new joint declaration on digital transition and green economy, while ASEAN-Russia discussions advanced cooperation across 11 trade and investment sectors, and ASEAN-Switzerland agreed […]