WASHINGTON • US Trade Representative Katherine Tai says the United States will continue to push for World Trade Organisation (WTO) members to agree on an intellectual property framework for Covid-19 vaccines after a major WTO ministerial meeting set for this week was postponed.
The delay of the in-person meeting in Geneva last Friday due to travel restrictions and concerns about the spread of the new Omicron Covid-19 variant complicates Ms Tai’s plans to push her vision for WTO reform and rekindle the spirit of dynamism and compromise that led to the trade body’s creation in 1995.
In a pair of tweets, Ms. Tai said the postponement “is a reminder that we still have much work to do to end the pandemic”.
“The United States will continue working with @WTO members to achieve a multifaceted outcome on trade and health, including an international IP framework, that supports the global pandemic response and puts the WTO in a stronger position to meet the needs of regular people,” the US Trade Representative said.
The WTO’s director-general, Ms Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, said she wanted negotiations to continue despite no in-person travel, while adding that Geneva-based country delegations should be empowered to reach deals, especially on vaccines.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 29, 2021-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der November 29, 2021-Ausgabe von The Straits Times.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
Doncic drops winning three to put Mavericks 2-0 up
The Dallas Mavericks needed a big shot as they trailed in the final seconds in Game 2 of the National Basketball Association (NBA) Western Conference Finals on May 24.
France begins evacuating tourists stranded amid riots in New Caledonia
The first evacuation flights for French tourists stranded in New Caledonia due to riots in the Pacific territory took off on May 25, said the high commission representing the French state in the archipelago.
Modi's top rivals cast their ballots as election resumes
Two top rivals of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who accuse his government of targeting them in unjustified criminal probes cast their votes in New Delhi on May 25 as the country's six-week general election resumed.
FOREIGN TRIO BLOW CHAMPS AWAY
Goals from Oliveira, Cruz and Gama give DPMM 4-1 victory as Albirex lose again
'THE GAME OF OUR LIVES'
Scorer Garnacho says nobody believed United could deny City another double
Self-belief helps Riley to 2nd-round lead in Texas
After getting past an ill-timed weather interruption at the end of his round, Davis Riley polished off a bogey-free, six-under 64 to claim the second-round lead at the Charles Schwab Challenge on May 24.
NUNES IS BACK IN BUSINESS
Brazilian ace has not been as prolific of late, but four-timer puts him level with Queiroz
Zverev among dark horses eyeing first Grand Slam title
Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have won the last eight French Open titles but with the ageing Grand Slam champions nowhere near their best this season, a new champion could be crowned.
CYCLE FUN, CYCLE SAFE
On his first solo cycling trip overseas, Ong Swee Yong found himself lost in Mount Takatsuka in complete darkness, not knowing whether he would make it out.
Hey, that's my voice
When companies use AI to copy your voice to make money