News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

The WTO has warned that 2020's trafde numbers would be 'ugly'

Global trade to plunge up to 32% in 2020 amid pandemic

Global trade growth is expected to plummet by up to a third in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic, the World Trade Organization said today, warning that the numbers would be "ugly".

Business • 08 Apr 20

For the first time, the daily death toll globally from Covid-19 has passed 4,000

At a glance: Latest global Covid-19 developments

The coronavirus pandemic is the worst global crisis since World War II, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres says, expressing concern that it could trigger conflicts around the world

Coronavirus • 01 Apr 20

The WTO also said the below-trend trade performance could become even worse due to the new coronavirus

WTO gives sombre goods trade outlook, sees virus threat

Growth of global trade in goods is likely to remain weak in early 2020, the World Trade Organization said today, adding that the below-trend performance could become even worse due to the new coronavirus.

Business • 17 Feb 20

A 'multi-party interim appeal arrangement' for appealing global trade dispute rulings agreed at Davos

Temporary trade dispute appeal system agreed at Davos

The European Union, China and 15 other countries agreed today to develop a temporary system for appealing trade dispute rulings after the recent US-provoked collapse of the WTO appeals body.

Business • 24 Jan 20

China, which became a member of the WTO only in 2001, has gained $86 billion from membership

US and China biggest WTO winners - study

Membership of the World Trade Organization has benefitted the US and China more than any other nations, a study published today has found, as the two powers seek to defuse a months-long trade conflict.

Business • 30 Dec 19

Phil Hogan is the European Union's new trade commissioner

US trade offensive takes out WTO as global referee

US disruption of the global economic order has reached a major milestone as the World Trade Organization (WTO) loses its ability to intervene in trade wars, threatening the future of the Geneva-based body.

Business • 10 Dec 19

15 countries have raised concerns over the so-called Tariff Rate Quotas (TRQs) that will be in place after Brexit

WTO members warn on post-Brexit market access

World Trade Organization members have demanded compromises from the EU and Britain to ensure foreign businesses do not lose market access in post-Brexit trade.

Business • 15 Nov 19

The US and EU accuse each other of paying billions in subsidies to Boeing and Airbus in cases dating back to 2004

The jet subsidy row that threatens a trade war

The US has secured approval from the World Trade Organization to impose tariffs on $7.5 billion worth of European goods over illegal EU subsidies handed to Airbus.

Business • 03 Oct 19

The WTO has found that both Europe's Airbus and its US rival Boeing received billions of dollars of illegal subsidies

US to hit EU with tariffs starting 18 October

The US will impose punitive tariffs on the EU from 18 October following the World Trade Organization decision giving the green light to retaliation on $7.5bn worth of goods, senior trade officials said.

Business • 02 Oct 19

Irish whiskey is one of the targets on the US list of 89 additional proposed tariffs

US threatens tariffs on EU cheese, pork and whiskey

The US is threatening tariffs on $4bn worth of additional EU goods - including Irish whiskey - in a long-running dispute over aircraft subsidies.

World • 02 Jul 19

Participants attend prior to a G20 meeting in Fukuoka, Japan

Trade tensions have 'intensified' - G20 finance chiefs

Group of 20 finance leaders said today that trade and geopolitical tensions have "intensified" but failed to express a pressing need to resolve them, in a final draft communiqué that said global growth is likely to pick up.

World • 09 Jun 19

WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo declined to predict the impact of Brexit on world trade

WTO says global trade slowed in fourth quarter

World trade shrank by 0.3% in the fourth quarter of 2018 and is likely to grow by 2.6% this year, the World Trade Organization said today.

Business • 02 Apr 19

The e-commerce rules talks were announced by the EU's top trade official, Cecilia Malmstrom, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos

75 countries launch WTO e-commerce talks at Davos

Ministers from 75 countries launched talks towards drawing up global e-commerce rules amid growing calls for technology to be more closely regulated internationally.

Business • 25 Jan 19

WTO's Tim Yeend said in Dublin today that uncertainty and tension categorise the current state of the global economy

WTO working more closely with UK on Brexit

A senior World Trade Organization (WTO) representative has said the body is watching Brexit negotiations between the European Union and the UK "very closely".

Business • 19 Nov 18

US President Donald Trump has become involved in trade rows with traditional allies

Donald Trump's trade disputes

A summary of US President Donald Trump's trade rows as he threatens to remove the US from the World Trade Organisation.

World • 31 Aug 18

Donald Trump has been putting tariffs on countries he accuses of cheating American workers

Donald Trump threatens to pull US out of WTO

US President Donald Trump has threatened to withdraw from the World Trade Organisation "if it doesn't treat the US better," in his latest criticism of the institution.

US • 31 Aug 18

World Trade Organization