Presented by Clarisse Morgan, Senior Counsellor World Trade Organization

1. Presented by Clarisse Morgan, Senior Counsellor World Trade Organization FAO/InfoSamak Regional Workshop Casablanca, Morocco Monday, 2 June 2014

2. Born of GATT 1947, which covered only goods trade • Basic concepts established therein • Non-discrimination • Most Favoured Nation • National Treatment • Progressive reduction of trade barriers • Tariff cuts were the initial principal focus • Also rules on trade-affecting measures (trade remedies, subsidies, QRs, STEs…)

3. Uruguay Round • Created numerous specific Agreements with detailed rules to elaborate on basics in GATT • Agriculture, SPS, TBT, SCM, AD, Customs valuation, etc…. • Expanded into non-goods areas • TRIPS • Services (parallel “General Agreement”)

4. Comprehensive trade round launched in 2001 • Negotiating mandate(s) contained in the Doha Ministerial Declaration (WT/MIN(01)/DEC/1) • “Development” round – aim is to re-shape/reform the rules so that developing countries can obtain maximum benefits from trade

5. Scope • The Big 3 – “Core” issues • Agriculture • Subsidy reform • Enhanced market access • Non-ag market access (tariffs etc.) “NAMA” • Reduction or elimination of tariff peaks, high tariffs, and tariff escalation • Reduction or elimination of non-tariff barriers • Especially on products of interest to developing countries • Services – continued liberalization through scheduling of specific commitments

6. Scope – cont’d • TRIPS • Geographical indications – wines/spirits • Relationship of TRIPS with CBD etc. • Government procurement – negotiations anticipated, subject to consensus to launch at next Ministerial (completed) • Trade facilitation – negotiations anticipated, subject to consensus to launch at next Ministerial

7. Scope – cont’d • Rules • Anti-dumping and countervailing measures • Subsidies including fisheries subsidies • RTAs • Least-developed countries • Other issues: dispute settlement, trade & environment, e-commerce, small economies, S&DT,

8. Fisheries subsidies - 2001 negotiating mandate (only explicit reference to fish in the Declaration) • “Clarify and improve WTO disciplines on fisheries subsidies, taking into account the importance of this sector to developing countries.” • Fish & fish products – explicitly excluded from Agreement on Agriculture • Therefore included in the NAMA negotiations

9. A “breakthrough” • Trade Facilitation Agreement adopted – now being implemented • Simplification/streamlining/transparency of customs procedures • Includes provisions on perishable goods • Agriculture – certain agreed elements, including on public stockholding for food security – main issues not addressed • Cotton – dedicated discussions • Development and LDC issues

10. And the other issues in the DDA? • By end-2014, a Work Programme must be developed for concluding the DDA • Focus is on the Big 3 – without a clear, integrated approach for finishing work in these areas, the other issues cannot move • Currently the discussions are preliminary • NG Rules met in mid-May • Many want to resume work on fisheries subsidies, but recognize it is unrealistic before finding way to progress on Big 3

11. THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR YOUR ATTENTION!