India Challenges Trade Disguised as Environmental Protection at WTO Ministerial Conference
At the 13th ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Abu Dhabi: India Challenges Trade Disguised as Environmental Protection
At the 13th ministerial conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Abu Dhabi, India has raised concerns over the escalating employment of unilateral trade protectionist measures under the guise of environmental safeguarding. The conference commenced on Monday, bringing together trade ministers and top bureaucrats from 164 countries to deliberate on critical issues spanning agriculture, fisheries, and sustainable development.
India’s commerce secretary, Sunil Barthwal, emphasized the nation’s commitment to combating climate change through sustainable living practices rooted in traditions of conservation and moderation. However, he voiced apprehensions regarding the misuse of environmental concerns to justify trade protectionism, stating that such measures hinder the development efforts of developing nations.
Barthwal highlighted the necessity for developing countries to have the flexibility to address their industrialization challenges within the existing WTO framework. He cautioned against attempts by developed countries to merge longstanding development issues with new trade and industrial policies, underscoring the importance of policy space for industrial development.
Despite the broad agenda encompassing topics like banning subsidies contributing to overfishing and digital taxation, consensus remains elusive among member states, given the stringent requirement of unanimous agreement under WTO rules.
Addressing the session on ‘Trade and Inclusion,’ Barthwal cautioned against integrating non-trade issues like gender and micro, small, and medium enterprises into WTO discussions, asserting that such matters are more appropriately handled at the national level.
Expressing concerns over the resurgence of trade-distorting subsidies and non-trade barriers, Barthwal reiterated India’s commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based global trading system.
The WTO’s director-general, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, echoed the urgency of fortifying the global trading framework amidst slowing global trade and output. Emphasizing the pivotal role of a stable and fair multilateral trading system in the recovery of developing countries, Okonjo-Iweala stressed the imperative of resolving outstanding issues like public stockholding for food security.
India, meanwhile, is poised to advocate for the resolution of crucial matters such as public stockholding for food security and address farm-related concerns while opposing attempts to conflate investment with trade.
As discussions unfold at the WTO ministerial conference, the spotlight remains on bridging the divergence of views to ensure a resilient and inclusive global trading system.
FAQ: India Challenges Trade Disguised as Environmental Protection
Q: What is the World Trade Organization (WTO) ministerial conference? A: The WTO ministerial conference is a biennial gathering of trade ministers and top bureaucrats from 164 member countries to discuss and negotiate various trade-related issues, policies, and agreements.
Q: Why is India raising concerns about trade protectionism disguised as environmental protection? A: India believes that unilateral trade protectionist measures under the guise of environmental protection hinder the development efforts of developing countries and necessitate flexibility within the WTO framework to address industrialization challenges.
Q: What are some key topics being discussed at the WTO ministerial conference? A: Topics include banning subsidies contributing to overfishing, digital taxation, agriculture, fisheries, sustainable development, and the link between trade and industrial policy.
Q: Why is consensus elusive among member states at the WTO ministerial conference? A: WTO rules mandate unanimous agreement among all 164 member states, making it challenging to reach consensus on contentious issues.
Q: What is India’s stance on multilateralism and the global trading system? A: India reaffirms its commitment to multilateralism and the rules-based global trading system, emphasizing the importance of adhering to international trade norms and fostering inclusive economic growth.