Incoming WTO director-general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala takes part in an online meeting before speaking during an interview with Reuters in Potomac, Maryland on Feb. 15, 2021. (Photo: Reuters/Joshua Roberts)

Nigeria’s Okonjo-Iweala makes history as new head of WTO

Geneva-based body leaderless for six months; Trump paralyzed some of WTO's functions

Geneva/Washington | Reuters — Three months after the Trump administration rejected her, former Nigerian finance minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala received unanimous backing on Monday to become the first woman and first African director-general of the World Trade Organization. A self-declared “doer” with a track record of taking on seemingly intractable problems, Okonjo-Iweala will have her work

COOL refers to laws requiring retailers to identify the country of origin for specific commodities.

COOL call alarms Canada

New USDA head ‘happy’ to work on WTO-compliant country-of-origin labelling laws

The likely U.S. secretary of agriculture says he’ll be “happy” to again advance country-of-origin labelling (COOL) policies. Tom Vilsack, during his Feb. 2 confirmation hearing of the Senate Agricultural Committee, confirmed he is open to reintroducing COOL laws – if they comply with World Trade Organization (WTO) standards. COOL refers to laws requiring retailers to


Virtual trade missions a logistical boon but relational challenge

Virtual trade missions a logistical boon but relational challenge

Cereals Canada and the Canola Council of Canada held online trade missions this year and say they were a success

Virtual trade missions have given access to a wider audience but can’t quite replace the connections forged on in-person trips, say two agriculture industry leaders. “There’s no way to replace it, in a sense,” said Brittany Dyck, senior manager of canola utilization with the Canola Council of Canada. “Trade missions, I think, are really about connecting with —

(WTO.org)

Washington says it’s ready to engage on WTO reform

The Biden administration seems set on reinvigorating the handcuffed organization

Reuters – The United States is committed to “positive, constructive and active engagement” with all members of the World Trade Organization on reforming the body and is actively considering who to choose as its next chief, a U.S. official said Jan. 29. The comments by David Bisbee, charge d’affaires at the U.S. mission to the WTO, are



Lack of detail, slow ratification of U.K. trade deal raises concern

Lack of detail, slow ratification of U.K. trade deal raises concern

There’s a chance that Canada-U.K. trade could be hit with tariffs, critics say

Despite boasting of signing a transitional agreement, Canada may not have a trade deal ready with the United Kingdom by the time 2021 rolls around. Exporters could be forced to pay British tariffs if the deal isn’t ratified into law by the end of the year. Canada’s International Trade Minister Mary Ng has failed to


Dairy farmers will get $1.75 billion in direct cash compensation over four years instead of eight years.

Federal funds to be used to shore up dairy, eggs, chicken against foreign imports

The federal government announced $691 million in trade compensation for poultry and egg farmers, shortened payment timelines for dairy on November 28

Federal funding commitments to supply-managed farmers should go to increase sustainability and efficiency and to innovate in the face of increasing foreign competition, say Manitoba commodity groups. Money promised to egg farmers would be well spent on product research, increasing sustainability, and consumer awareness — such as trust-building work done by the Canadian Centre for

Agricultural commodities and agri-foods account for one-third of Canada’s total exports to China.


China responsible for large leap in exports

Even Canadian canola exports to China are up from the previous year

China has dramatically picked up its imports from Canada in the 2020-21 marketing year. The Canadian Grain Commission (CGC) reported this week that at the end of October, China imported 3.17 million tonnes of wheat, barley, flax, canola and peas from Canada, compared to 1.51 million the same point in 2019-20. With China very eager


President-elect Biden expected to be ‘very U.S. minded’

President-elect Biden expected to be ‘very U.S. minded’

China, WTO and CPTPP are all international issues that could benefit

President-elect Joe Biden is not expected to drastically change American trade policy, but his approach to other nations, particularly China, will likely differ. “The spirit of American trade policy is actually quite consistent between the Democrats and the Republicans,” said Canola Council of Canada’s Brian Innes. “That spirit is being aggressive with the world to get terms that help America.”

Cherilyn Jolly-Nagel. (GGC video screengrab)

Grain Growers of Canada lobby Parliament Hill

Agriculture can help restart Canada's economy and the federal government help by addressing some issues, group says

Agriculture can help revitalize Canada’s post-COVID economy, but the federal government should clear the track for it. That means updating regulations to encourage technological innovation, improving market access for agricultural exports and recognizing farm practices that help the environment, Grain Growers of Canada (GGC) says. The organization, which represents 15 regional, provincial and national grain