A former World Trade Organization boss has said the future terms of global trade, rocked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping protectionist tariffs, could be decided outside the 30-year-old international watchdog unless it reforms itself fast.

WTO chiefs past and present demand rapid reform to keep global free trade alive

WTO aims to reduce staffing costs after US funding pause
The World Trade Organization said on Tuesday it is reviewing staff costs after the United States paused funding to the institution.

Canada initiates WTO dispute complaint on US steel, aluminum duties
Canada has requested WTO dispute consultations with the U.S. over its imposition of import duties on certain steel and aluminium products from Canada, the trade body said on Thursday.

China launches WTO dispute over Trump tariffs
Additional measures possible
China has launched a dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump on Chinese goods, the Geneva-based body said on Wednesday.

China begins anti-dumping probe into Canadian canola
China announced on Monday the start of a one-year anti-dumping investigation into imports of canola from Canada, just weeks before Ottawa's 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles and other products come into force.

Bill to protect supply management unlikely to harm trade talks
Former agriculture trade negotiator said the legislation is more symbolic
Long-time Canadian trade negotiator Steve Verheul says Bill C-282 is a political signal and not likely to threaten future deals.

WTO meeting seeks modest outcomes, with global trade at ‘critical juncture’
Striking deals by consensus becoming more difficult amid signs global economy fragmenting
Trade ministers from around the world gathered in Abu Dhabi on Monday for a World Trade Organization meeting that aims to set new global commerce rules, but its chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and delegates sought to curb expectations.

Kyiv acts on ‘compromise’ plan after filing WTO complaint over food ban
Three EU countries have restricted Ukraine grain imports
Kyiv | Reuters — Ukraine appealed to three neighbouring countries in the European Union on Tuesday to embark on “constructive dialogue” to end a dispute over agricultural trade, and approved what it called a “compromise scenario.” Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced restrictions on imports from Ukraine on Friday after the European Commission decided not to […] Read more

Farm trade dispute creates rift between Ukraine and its allies
Ukraine sues three EU member states at WTO
Brussels/Kyiv | Reuters — A dispute over agricultural trade created a rift on Monday between Ukraine and some of its strongest allies in the European Union after three member states imposed unilateral measures to restrict imports from the war-torn country. Poland, Slovakia and Hungary announced restrictions on imports on Friday after the European Commission decided […] Read more

Australia disappointed with China move to extend barley tariffs review
Tariff wall in place since 2020
Sydney | Reuters — Australia said on Wednesday it was disappointed that China has asked for another month to complete a review needed to lift tariffs on barley and warned it would resume a case at the World Trade Organization (WTO) if there was further delay. Australia on April 11 agreed to temporarily suspend a […] Read more