Friday

29th Mar 2024

Lamy confirmed as WTO head

Former EU trade comissioner Pacal Lamy was confirmed as head of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on Thursday (26 May).

The Frenchman will take over from the outgoing Supachai Panitchpakdi of Thailand on 1 September.

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Speaking shortly after his official confirmation in the post, he said he would focus on finalising the Doha trade talks and the organisation's development agenda.

"This will be my immediate, first, second and third priority", he said according to the Guardian.

The European Commission welcomed the appointment, with President Jose Manuel Barroso stating "Pascal Lamy is, with his knowledge of trade matters, his international experience, his concern for development and his constant search for consensus, uniquely qualified to lead the WTO at this defining moment".

WTO trade ministers are due to meet in Hong Kong in December to approve a draft deal for the Doha round of trade talks, following last year's disagreements between developed and developing countries.

One of the thorny issues still on the table is the agriculture subsidies doled out by rich regions, including the EU, which damage poorer countries' economies.

The rapid upsurge in worldwide Chinese textile exports also needs to be tackled, as both the US and the EU are considering trade sanctions against Beijing.

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