India's Role as Voice of Global South Faces Crucial Test at WTO Ministerial Conference The 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) of the World Trade Organization (WTO), set to take place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from March 26 to 29, will serve as a pivotal moment for India’s leadership in representing the interests of the Global South. The conference will test the Modi government’s claims of being a “leader” and “voice” of developing nations, particularly as the United States seeks to reshape the multilateral trade body into a bilateral and plurilateral framework. This shift, according to U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer, aims to ensure that trade benefits “partners” rather than “free riders” or countries that undermine fair competition, potentially sidelining WTO members from decision-making processes. India has long positioned itself as a champion of developing nations, emphasizing its role in global forums like the G20. During its presidency, India has promoted the principle of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (One Earth, One Family, One Future), highlighting the need to amplify the priorities of the Global South. However, the upcoming WTO conference will be a critical test of this leadership. Key agenda items include the e-commerce moratorium, WTO reforms, agriculture and fisheries policies, and plurilateral agreements. A major point of contention is the U.S.-led push to make the e-commerce moratorium permanent. A draft ministerial decision by the U.S. and 18 other countries seeks to extend the moratorium on electronic transmissions, including the “content of the transmission” within its scope. This could pose significant risks for India and other developing nations.#india #cameroon #world_trade_organization #jamieson_greer #wto_reforms
Carney’s alliance seeks to revive global trade amid U.S. disruptions A coalition of middle powers, led by Canada’s Mark Carney, is pushing to stabilize the World Trade Organization (WTO) amid growing tensions over U.S. trade policies. The group, comprising nearly 40 nations from the European Union and the Indo-Pacific CPTPP trade bloc, is set to convene in Cameroon to address the organization’s declining effectiveness. The meeting, part of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), comes as the U.S. continues to challenge the WTO’s rules and undermine its dispute resolution mechanisms. The WTO, which relies on consensus for decision-making, faces significant hurdles. A major point of contention is the future of e-commerce and digital trade, including software, cloud services, and streaming platforms. The 166-member organization has been divided over whether to permanently exempt these sectors from tariffs, a debate that was postponed from the 2024 Dubai ministerial meeting to this year’s Cameroon gathering. The EU and CPTPP nations, representing nearly a third of the global economy, are preparing a joint statement to address these issues, aiming to either reform the WTO or establish a new framework if consensus proves unattainable. U.S. President Donald Trump’s policies have exacerbated the WTO’s challenges. His administration’s tariffs on Chinese goods and refusal to support the Appellate Body—WTO’s dispute court—have weakened the organization’s ability to enforce trade rules. Meanwhile, the EU and CPTPP blocs are seeking to create parallel mechanisms to advance trade reforms. A voluntary trade arbitration group, the MPIA, has already been formed by most CPTPP members and the EU, excluding the U.S., to address disputes outside the WTO.#european_union #mark_carney #cameroon #world_trade_organization #cptpp
WTO reform push: India flags dysfunctional dispute system at MC14, seeks review of e-commerce duty moratorium India urged members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) to restore a fully functional dispute settlement system during the 14th ministerial conference (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, emphasizing that the current mechanism has failed to provide effective redressal for member countries. Commerce and industry minister Piyush Goyal highlighted the need to revive the automatic and binding nature of dispute resolution within the WTO, stating that the dysfunction in the system has deprived nations of critical legal recourse. Speaking on the opening day of the conference, Goyal called for urgent action to address the crisis, stressing that the dispute settlement mechanism is a cornerstone of the organization’s credibility. The WTO’s dispute settlement system has been inoperable since 2009, when the United States blocked the appointment of new members to the Appellate Body, a key judicial body within the organization. Goyal’s remarks underscored the broader concerns about the WTO’s ability to enforce trade rules and resolve conflicts among member states. He also called for a reassessment of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, which has been extended periodically since 1998. India has consistently raised concerns about the potential revenue implications of the arrangement, arguing that the lack of a unified understanding among members on the scope of the moratorium warrants careful reconsideration. The four-day MC14, set to conclude on March 29, has seen discussions on broader WTO reforms, with Goyal emphasizing that any restructuring must be transparent, inclusive, and driven by member priorities.#india #piyush_goyal #world_trade_organization #mc14 #appellate_body
Iran-Israel War Escalates as Missiles Target Gulf Nations Iran’s Revolutionary Guards launched missile strikes against Israel, Kuwait, Jordan, and Bahrain, according to state television reports, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing regional conflict. The attacks, which included precision-guided missiles and drones, targeted U.S. military bases in the Gulf and Israeli infrastructure, intensifying tensions amid a nearly month-long war. The strikes followed a series of Israeli and U.S. military operations that began with an attack on Iran in late February 2026, drawing in regional allies and adversaries alike. Kuwait’s civil aviation authority confirmed that drones struck a fuel tank at Kuwait International Airport, sparking a fire but causing no casualties. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation stated that emergency procedures were swiftly implemented, with firefighters bringing the blaze under control. Meanwhile, Kuwaiti air defenses reportedly intercepted missile and drone attacks, underscoring the Gulf state’s efforts to counter the escalating threat. U.S. President Donald Trump announced a 15-point ceasefire plan aimed at ending the conflict, which he claimed was close to resolution. The plan coincided with Iran’s announcement that it would allow “non-hostile” oil vessels to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy trade. Trump praised the move as a “very big present” worth significant economic value, though oil prices dropped sharply following the announcement, reflecting market uncertainty. The war has also drawn international attention for its economic and humanitarian consequences.#donald_trump #strait_of_hormuz #iran_revolutionary_guards #kuwait_international_airport #world_trade_organization
