All posts tagged: WTO

WTO talks on e-commerce duties moratorium deadlocked as reform plan nears deal| India News

WTO talks on e-commerce duties moratorium deadlocked as reform plan nears deal| India News

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By Olivia Le Poidevin WTO talks on e-commerce duties moratorium deadlocked as reform plan nears deal YAOUNDE, – WTO talks on extending a moratorium due to expire this month on customs duties for electronic transmissions such as digital downloads are deadlocked, diplomats said on Sunday, although a wider reform plan is nearing a deal. The talks at a World Trade Organization meeting in Cameroon include efforts to bridge differences between the U.S. and India over extending the e-commerce moratorium, which was first adopted in 1998 to help encourage early digital trade growth. In what is seen as a test for the WTO’s relevance, after a year of tariff-fuelled trade turmoil and major disruptions due to the Iran war, three diplomats told Reuters that ministers are stuck on extending the moratorium beyond more than two years following objections from Brazil. Ministers are debating a new draft document to extend negotiations by four years plus an additional buffer year to 2031, two diplomats said. E-COMMERCE DEADLOCK As well as Brazil’s objections, India and the U.S. have been …

US Supreme Court has struck down Trump’s global tariffs. But it won’t stop the President’s trade confrontations

US Supreme Court has struck down Trump’s global tariffs. But it won’t stop the President’s trade confrontations

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5 min readFeb 21, 2026 11:43 AM IST First published on: Feb 21, 2026 at 11:43 AM IST Donald Trump built his political brand on two promises meant to reinforce each other: Tighter borders and tougher trade. Tariffs were not a sideshow but were framed as leverage against China, against countries running surpluses with the United States, and, at times, even against neighbours accused of falling short in immigration enforcement. That approach has now run into a legal tussle. On February 20, the US Supreme Court struck down most of Trump’s sweeping global tariffs as beyond statutory authority, holding that a 1977 emergency statute could not be used to impose blanket duties on imports. Trump’s reaction was immediate and predictably combative as he denounced the justices, called the decision “a disgrace”, and announced a temporary 10 per cent global tariff for 150 days under Section 122 while signalling he would pursue other legal routes to keep his tariff campaign alive. The question now is not whether tariffs disappear but what legal routes remain open, and …

China files case in WTO against India’s tariffs on IT products

China files case in WTO against India’s tariffs on IT products

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Published on: Dec 20, 2025 06:00 am IST A statement issued by the spokesperson of the ministry of commerce in Beijing said that India’s measures allegedly violate multiple WTO obligations, including the principle of national treatment, and constitute import substitution subsidies explicitly prohibited under WTO rules China on Friday filed a petition with the World Trade Organisation (WTO), requesting consultations with India over New Delhi’s tariffs on information and communication technology (ICT) products and solar sector subsidies. China files case in WTO against India’s tariffs on IT products A statement issued by the spokesperson of the ministry of commerce in Beijing said that India’s measures allegedly violate multiple WTO obligations, including the principle of national treatment, and constitute import substitution subsidies explicitly prohibited under WTO rules. “They grant unfair competitive advantages to India’s domestic industries while undermining China’s interests,” the statement said. A spokesperson for the commerce ministry in India did not respond to requests for a comment. According to a person aware of the matter, who asked not to be named, said such notices …

India tells WTO it may impose retaliatory tariffs against US over steel, aluminium duty hikes

India tells WTO it may impose retaliatory tariffs against US over steel, aluminium duty hikes

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On February 10 this year, the US again revised the safeguard measures on imports of steel and aluminium articles, effective from March 12, 2025, and with an unlimited duration. Now, it has imposed 25 per cent tariffs. New Delhi: While India and the US are engaged in finalising a trade deal, a latest development has emerged with India notifying the WTO (World Trade Organisation) that it may impose retaliatory duties against the US over American tariffs on steel and aluminium in the name of safeguard measures. “The safeguard measures would affect USD 7.6 billion in imports into the US of the relevant products originating in India, on which the duty collection would be USD 1.91 billion,” a WTO communication said. Accordingly, it said, India’s proposed suspension of concessions would result in an equivalent amount of duty collected from products originating in America. Earlier in April, India had sought consultations with the US under the WTO’s safeguard agreement, following American authorities’ decision to impose these tariffs. On the request for consultation, the US informed the global …

China launches WTO dispute over Trump tariffs | News Today News

China launches WTO dispute over Trump tariffs | News Today News

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China has formally launched a dispute at the World Trade Organization (WTO) over tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on Chinese goods, the Geneva-based body said on Wednesday. Trump on Saturday ordered tariffs on goods from Mexico, Canada and China, demanding they staunch the flow of fentanyl – and, in the case of Canada and Mexico illegal immigration. He later froze tariffs against the two North American countries but went ahead with those on China. China, which Trump subjected to a tariff of 10% on goods exports, had vowed to challenge the step at the WTO. Story continues below this ad In a statement cited by the WTO, China said the measures appeared to be inconsistent with US obligations under the agreement that led to the creation of the trade body, pointing to the discriminatory nature of the tariffs. “China reserves the right to raise additional measures and claims regarding the matters identified herein during the course of consultations and in any future request for the establishment of a panel,” the Chinese statement said. …

India’s firm stand at WTO Ministerial saved its schemes for food security, MSP | Latest News India

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New Delhi: Despite pressures, particularly from developed nations to reduce domestic support on agriculture and allowing them easy market access for their farm produce, India prevailed upon the lobby at the Abu Dhabi Ministerial Conference (MC13) of WTO, which was concluded on March 2, 2024 with two days of extension from the scheduled closing date of February 29. PM Narendra Modi with union minister Piyush Goyal Credit goes to Narendra Modi government and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal’s ability to withstand such international pressures to protect Indian agriculture and interests of Indian farmers. Global powers criticised India for a rigid position, and the same was reflected in a report by international news agency Reuters, which quoted European Commission Executive Vice President and Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis. According to the report, Dombrovskis expressed disappointment over the lack of consensus on fisheries, agriculture and broader reforms, and singled out India for blame”. His frustration is legitimate, but India could not sacrifice its national interest for building a global consensus, which would have benefitted the developed nations. Hindustan Times …

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

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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. However, the members agreed to further extend the moratorium on imposing import duties on e-commerce trade for two more years, they said. Despite the four days of hectic parleys getting extended for a day, the 166-member World Trade Organisation (WTO) was not able to reach a common ground for resolving the food security issue, a demand raised prominently by India, and curbing subsidies that leads to overfishing and over capacity. Also read: WTO MC13 | What’s on the agenda for India? They added that India successfully pushed the food security issue and the country did not yield any ground on protecting the interest of poor farmers and fishermen and also on other issues and kept its defensive interests in various …

‘Our Stand Is Consistent’: Piyush Goyal Says India Is Consensus Builder At WTO, But ‘Certain Nations’ Breaking That

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Last Updated: February 29, 2024, 06:42 IST Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal at the the 13th ministerial conference (MC) with WTO DG Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. (Image: WTO/X) Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal emphasises India’s role as a consensus builder in WTO amid allegations. Key issues at 13th ministerial conference discussed Underlining that India is a consensus builder in the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday some countries are breaking that at the 13th ministerial conference (MC13). His remarks came amid allegations by certain developed nations that India is blocking deals at the WTO. The conference began on February 26 to discuss issues such as agriculture and fisheries subsidies, dispute settlement, and moratorium on customs duty levy on e-commerce trade. “Our stand is consistent. We have to see who are blocking the issues and who is responsible for not letting things of the WTO smoothly… It is proved that India in fact is a consensus builder and we are playing a key role in …

Developed Nations Make Many Promises on Development Issues in WTO, but Very Little Action: India

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Last Updated: February 28, 2024, 23:29 IST Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) The irony was that now, these very same members were kicking the ladder away, it added. (Image: News18) In the working session on Development, India highlighted that historically, on the issue of development, there has been no dearth of promises made by developed countries, with each ministerial churning “lofty” ideas India on Wednesday said that the developed nations in the WTO have made many promises on issues pertaining to development but “very” little action happens on those matters. India also said that the developing countries urgently need flexibility in existing rules so that infant and young industries in these countries get support in terms of conducive policies, incentives, subsidies and level playing field. In the working session on Development, India highlighted that historically, on the issue of development, there has been no dearth of promises made by developed countries, with each ministerial churning “lofty” ideas. “There have been many promises, but very little action, on account of which the vulnerabilities of the …

India Opposes China-Led Investment Facilitation Proposal At WTO: Here’s Why

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Last Updated: February 28, 2024, 09:11 IST Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) A logo is seen at the World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters before a news conference in Geneva, Switzerland, October 5, 2022. (Reuters File Photo) India opposes China-led proposal on investment facilitation at WTO, deeming it non-trade issue. Officials cite violation of consensus-based decision-making India is opposed to a proposal led by China on investment facilitation at the WTO, stating that it is a non-trade issue and falls outside the mandate of the global trade body, an official said on Tuesday. A China-led group of over 120 countries are pushing for the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFD) proposal to become part of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). These nations want to figure the issue in the 13th ministerial conference (MC) here. The four-day meet started here on February 26. “India believes that the WTO should deal with issues related to trade and this is a non-trade issue and India is against bringing this into the WTO framework,” the official said. The group …