Deal-making at the WTO has not convinced critics

The long awaited WTO Ministerial Conference, or MC12, issued a package of agreements, including on fisheries subsidies, food insecurity, an intellectual property right waiver for Covid vaccines, WTO reform, and an extension of the e-commerce customs moratorium. But do the agreements have long-term significance? The MC12 package was a face-saving exercise, argues Alan Beattie of the Financial Times. Coverage was extensive; the World Economic Forum noted the politics of the negotiations, Reuters reported on extension of the e-commerce moratorium, Inu Manak explains the fisheries subsidies deal to the China Trade Monitor, while Bryan Mercurio discusses the TRIPS waiver agreement in Think Global Health. The TRIPS waiver even offers a glimmer of hope for US-China trade relations, argues Wendy Cutler. Lastly, WTO Deputy Director General Anabel Gonzalez argues that there was more than meets the eye in the meetings’ outcomes.

Mentioned publications

WTO members secure unprecedented package of trade outcomes at MC12 – World Trade Organization, 23 June 2022
WTO members come to agreements on fisheries subsidies, a patent waiver for Covid vaccines, food insecurity, and WTO reforms, among others.
The WTO’s marathon exercise in staying alive – Op-ed: Alan Beattie, Financial Times, 17 June 2022
MC12’s outcomes represent a symbolic victory for the WTO.
Understanding the WTO Ministerial Meeting: What just happened and what’s next? – Sean Doherty and Aditi Sara Verghese, World Economic Forum, 20 June 2022
The WEF provides a clear and concise summary of the ministerial meeting’s outcomes.
WTO provisionally agrees to extend e-commerce tariff moratorium – sources – Reuters, 17 June 2022
WTO members agree to extend the moratorium on customs duties on e-commerce until at least the next ministerial meeting.
Q & A with Inu Manak on WTO Fisheries Subsidies Deal – Simon Lester, China Trade Monitor, 21 June 2022
An analysis and insights on what was accomplished in the fisheries subsidies agreement, and where it will go from here.
Sharpening the Tools in the Pandemic-Ending Toolbox – Bryan Mercurio, Think Global Health, 23 June 2022
WTO members agree on an IP waiver for Covid vaccines. What does the agreement cover and how will it work?
A glimmer of hope for improved US-China trade relations –Wendy Cutler, The Hill, 22 June 2022
A key compromise negotiated between the US and China enabled an agreement on the WTO TRIPS waiver.
MC12: more than meets the eye – DDG Anabel Gonzalez, World Trade Organization, 20 June 2022
Although expectations were low for the outcomes of this ministerial meeting, the stakes could not be higher for the WTO and for the world.