Trade: WTO DG fails to defend ECA role amid sharp criticism (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The World Trade Organization's Director-General, Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on 15 July seemingly failed to offer a credible defence of her decision to serve as depository for the contentious "Agreement on Electronic Commerce," as sharp objections were raised separately by India and Pakistan - later joined by the United States and other members - according to people familiar with the proceedings.

Trade: North-South divide on WTO reform process (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
A fierce rift has seemingly fractured the World Trade Organization over the rules governing its reform discussions, with developing nations accusing the industrialised countries of "rigging" the process by recognizing only "written submissions" while discarding oral statements.

Trade: US & allies press WTO members on plurilateral e-com moratorium (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The United States and its allies are pressing World Trade Organization members to join an apparently illegal plurilateral initiative to permanently waive customs duties on electronic transmissions - "with the aim of eventually securing a multilateral commitment, building upon that which had been consistently agreed upon by all Members since 1998," said people familiar with the development.