Trade: WTO reform talks expose deep divisions as MC14 looms (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
With exactly two weeks remaining before the World Trade Organization's 14th ministerial conference (MC14) opens in Yaounde, Cameroon, on 26 March, the final day of the General Council's March session on 12 March appears to have laid bare the depth of divisions over WTO reform - and raised serious questions about the process that will carry the reform agenda forward to ministers at MC14, said several participants, who asked not to be quoted.

Trade: US targets 16 countries with Section 301 probes, setting up tariff clash (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The United States on 11 March reportedly initiated investigations into the acts, policies, and practices of 16 countries under Section 301(b) of the US Trade Act of 1974, citing structural excess capacity and overproduction in manufacturing sectors.

WTO: Switzerland rallies support for reform, IFDA, E-com moratorium (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Switzerland appears to have intensified its efforts on securing approval on three controversial issues - World Trade Organization reform, incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) into Annex 4 of the WTO Agreement, and a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions - at the WTO's upcoming 14th ministerial conference (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, according to a Swiss official.