WTO News

1. New Zealand contributes NZ$ 150,000 to WTO Fish Fund

   New Zealand is contributing NZ$ 150,000 (approximately CHF 74,000) to the WTO’s Fish Fund to assist developing members and least-developed country (LDC) members implement the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.

2. Goods barometer rises as imports surge in first quarter ahead of expected tariff hikes

   Global goods trade posted a strong uptick in early 2025 driven by importers frontloading purchases ahead of anticipated higher tariffs; however, weakening export orders suggest that this momentum may not be sustained. The latest WTO Goods Trade Barometer rose to 103.5 — up from 102.8 in March, while the forward-looking new export orders index fell to 97.9, pointing to weaker trade growth later in the year.

3. Agriculture negotiations Chair reports on prospects for progress ahead of MC14

   At a meeting of the Committee on Agriculture in Special Session on 25 June, Ambassador Ali Sarfraz Hussain of Pakistan, the Chair of the agriculture negotiations, briefed members on his recent consultations, including prospects for progress ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in March 2026. WTO members voiced their support for realistic and pragmatic, results-oriented work and stressed the need for credible, concrete outcomes.

4. Members review farm policies, food security, technology transfer and transparency issues

   At a meeting of the Committee on Agriculture on 23-24 June, WTO members reviewed developments on various topics, including food security, technology transfer and efforts to enhance transparency. Members also engaged in their routine examination of each other’s agricultural policies, with a view to gaining a fuller understanding of their implementation of WTO agricultural obligations. Diego Alfieri of Brazil was appointed as the new Chair of the Committee.

5. Panels established to review Canadian surtaxes, Chinese duties on farm and fish products

   The Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) agreed at its meeting on 23 June to establish two new dispute panels. At the request of China, a panel will examine surtax measures imposed by Canada on certain products of Chinese origin, including electric vehicles and steel and aluminium products. At the request of Canada, a panel will review additional import duties imposed by China on certain Canadian agricultural and fisheries products.