Peter Ungphakorn
@coppetainpu.bsky.social
In 🇨🇭, from all over. Mainly trade. Journalist. WTO Secretariat 1996-2015. Usual disclaimers. Member: http://fmg-geneva.org.
Web: https://tradebetablog.wordpress.com/ (follow for alerts)
Web: https://tradebetablog.wordpress.com/ (follow for alerts)
Someone suggested the current obsession with a UK-EU customs union is because of Barnier's staircase. In it, a customs union is represented by Turkey, which is not even an example of a well-working customs union.
The staircase is too simplistic. For 2025, It doesn't represent the available options
The staircase is too simplistic. For 2025, It doesn't represent the available options
December 8, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Someone suggested the current obsession with a UK-EU customs union is because of Barnier's staircase. In it, a customs union is represented by Turkey, which is not even an example of a well-working customs union.
The staircase is too simplistic. For 2025, It doesn't represent the available options
The staircase is too simplistic. For 2025, It doesn't represent the available options
Not just Chris Mason. We've had round-the-clock reporting and discussion on news and current affairs programmes (eg BBC R4 Today) ad nauseam since Saturday.
December 2, 2025 at 12:51 PM
Not just Chris Mason. We've had round-the-clock reporting and discussion on news and current affairs programmes (eg BBC R4 Today) ad nauseam since Saturday.
Still to come:
● Setting up the Fisheries Subsidies Committee
● Notifications from members of their subsidies under the agreement
● Ratifications from the remaining almost one-third of members so the agreement applies to them as well
www.wto.org/english/trat...
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
2/2
● Setting up the Fisheries Subsidies Committee
● Notifications from members of their subsidies under the agreement
● Ratifications from the remaining almost one-third of members so the agreement applies to them as well
www.wto.org/english/trat...
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
2/2
November 20, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Still to come:
● Setting up the Fisheries Subsidies Committee
● Notifications from members of their subsidies under the agreement
● Ratifications from the remaining almost one-third of members so the agreement applies to them as well
www.wto.org/english/trat...
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
2/2
● Setting up the Fisheries Subsidies Committee
● Notifications from members of their subsidies under the agreement
● Ratifications from the remaining almost one-third of members so the agreement applies to them as well
www.wto.org/english/trat...
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
2/2
All of these posts by @theobserveruk.bsky.social use [at]bit.ly as the URLs to link the articles
November 17, 2025 at 3:37 PM
All of these posts by @theobserveruk.bsky.social use [at]bit.ly as the URLs to link the articles
Some orientation for the European clubs that will travel to play Mjällby AIF next season. Fans can stay in the caravan site next door to the 6,500-capacity stadium.
October 21, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Some orientation for the European clubs that will travel to play Mjällby AIF next season. Fans can stay in the caravan site next door to the 6,500-capacity stadium.
Supposedly, since Sep 15, the agreement has been “in effect”—in fact, not until yesterday for Oman and Mali, and still not in effect in 51 others.
The @wto.org and @noiweala.bsky.social are not helping us by creating the (false) impression that the agreement is in effect everywhere. It isn’t.
2/2
The @wto.org and @noiweala.bsky.social are not helping us by creating the (false) impression that the agreement is in effect everywhere. It isn’t.
2/2
October 9, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Supposedly, since Sep 15, the agreement has been “in effect”—in fact, not until yesterday for Oman and Mali, and still not in effect in 51 others.
The @wto.org and @noiweala.bsky.social are not helping us by creating the (false) impression that the agreement is in effect everywhere. It isn’t.
2/2
The @wto.org and @noiweala.bsky.social are not helping us by creating the (false) impression that the agreement is in effect everywhere. It isn’t.
2/2
October 7, 2025 at 12:18 AM
The end is nigh
September 19, 2025 at 8:51 AM
The end is nigh
The short and the long of the WTO Fish Subsidies Agreement entering into force for two thirds of members today. The good, the bad and the time-bomb: Members have 4 years to conclude the deadlocked Phase 2 talks, or the 2022 agreement will be terminated
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/w...
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/w...
September 15, 2025 at 1:33 PM
The short and the long of the WTO Fish Subsidies Agreement entering into force for two thirds of members today. The good, the bad and the time-bomb: Members have 4 years to conclude the deadlocked Phase 2 talks, or the 2022 agreement will be terminated
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/w...
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/09/15/w...
It seems this is about the EU-US "framework agreement" which would violate WTO non-discrimination unless it's an interim agreement leading to a preferential trade agreement.
But is a joint statement describing a framework agreement a proper agreement?
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
But is a joint statement describing a framework agreement a proper agreement?
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
August 21, 2025 at 2:25 PM
It seems this is about the EU-US "framework agreement" which would violate WTO non-discrimination unless it's an interim agreement leading to a preferential trade agreement.
But is a joint statement describing a framework agreement a proper agreement?
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
But is a joint statement describing a framework agreement a proper agreement?
www.whitehouse.gov/briefings-st...
It depends on how far you want “to go”. Reaching 111 is likely to leave a large chunk of the global catch outside the agreement, since it only applies to those countries that have ratified.
Right now, about 32% is not covered. At the very least the countries labelled here ⬇️ need to ratify too.
Right now, about 32% is not covered. At the very least the countries labelled here ⬇️ need to ratify too.
July 24, 2025 at 1:20 PM
It depends on how far you want “to go”. Reaching 111 is likely to leave a large chunk of the global catch outside the agreement, since it only applies to those countries that have ratified.
Right now, about 32% is not covered. At the very least the countries labelled here ⬇️ need to ratify too.
Right now, about 32% is not covered. At the very least the countries labelled here ⬇️ need to ratify too.
Next week, the pre-summer break WTO General Council.
Among the items of interest on the agenda:
● Report by Petter Ølberg after this week's talks on WTO reform
● Latest bid to add the deal on investment facilitation to WTO rules
● Various "current trade climate" items.
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
Among the items of interest on the agenda:
● Report by Petter Ølberg after this week's talks on WTO reform
● Latest bid to add the deal on investment facilitation to WTO rules
● Various "current trade climate" items.
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
July 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Next week, the pre-summer break WTO General Council.
Among the items of interest on the agenda:
● Report by Petter Ølberg after this week's talks on WTO reform
● Latest bid to add the deal on investment facilitation to WTO rules
● Various "current trade climate" items.
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
Among the items of interest on the agenda:
● Report by Petter Ølberg after this week's talks on WTO reform
● Latest bid to add the deal on investment facilitation to WTO rules
● Various "current trade climate" items.
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
Incidentally, wouldn't it be funny if the UK's trade with the EU was enhanced even more, not directly as European neighbours, but because of UK membership of the Trans-Pacific group.
July 1, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Incidentally, wouldn't it be funny if the UK's trade with the EU was enhanced even more, not directly as European neighbours, but because of UK membership of the Trans-Pacific group.
Countries that have not ratified the 2022 agreement prevent:
❌ others from implementing it
❌ developing countries from receiving Fish Funding aid
❌ setting up a WTO Fisheries Subsidies Committee to help members monitor curbs on harmful subsidies and provide transparency for everyone.
2/3
❌ others from implementing it
❌ developing countries from receiving Fish Funding aid
❌ setting up a WTO Fisheries Subsidies Committee to help members monitor curbs on harmful subsidies and provide transparency for everyone.
2/3
June 17, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Countries that have not ratified the 2022 agreement prevent:
❌ others from implementing it
❌ developing countries from receiving Fish Funding aid
❌ setting up a WTO Fisheries Subsidies Committee to help members monitor curbs on harmful subsidies and provide transparency for everyone.
2/3
❌ others from implementing it
❌ developing countries from receiving Fish Funding aid
❌ setting up a WTO Fisheries Subsidies Committee to help members monitor curbs on harmful subsidies and provide transparency for everyone.
2/3
They “are immediately beginning negotiations of the EPD to develop and formalize the proposals made in” it.
Once formalised further improvements will be made.
“… this document does not constitute a legally binding agreement.”
3/3
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681d32...
Once formalised further improvements will be made.
“… this document does not constitute a legally binding agreement.”
3/3
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681d32...
May 9, 2025 at 10:01 AM
They “are immediately beginning negotiations of the EPD to develop and formalize the proposals made in” it.
Once formalised further improvements will be made.
“… this document does not constitute a legally binding agreement.”
3/3
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681d32...
Once formalised further improvements will be made.
“… this document does not constitute a legally binding agreement.”
3/3
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681d32...
We have to stop calling Trump’s tariffs ‘reciprocal’ because they’re nothing of the kind. They’re certainly not high tariffs on imports into the US in response to high tariffs faced by US exports.
But what should we call them?
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/04/07/n...
But what should we call them?
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/04/07/n...
April 13, 2025 at 3:05 AM
We have to stop calling Trump’s tariffs ‘reciprocal’ because they’re nothing of the kind. They’re certainly not high tariffs on imports into the US in response to high tariffs faced by US exports.
But what should we call them?
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/04/07/n...
But what should we call them?
tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2025/04/07/n...
Please someone please tell BBC reporters that the WTO does not "set" trade rule or rules of fair trade.
The WTO is a meeting place. WTO rules are *agreements* negotiated by its member governments. The rules are set by the governments themselves.
#WATO
The WTO is a meeting place. WTO rules are *agreements* negotiated by its member governments. The rules are set by the governments themselves.
#WATO
April 10, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Please someone please tell BBC reporters that the WTO does not "set" trade rule or rules of fair trade.
The WTO is a meeting place. WTO rules are *agreements* negotiated by its member governments. The rules are set by the governments themselves.
#WATO
The WTO is a meeting place. WTO rules are *agreements* negotiated by its member governments. The rules are set by the governments themselves.
#WATO
3 April 2025
Statement from Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO
“The WTO Secretariat is closely monitoring and analysing the measures announced by the United States on April 2, 2025.
1/7
Statement from Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO
“The WTO Secretariat is closely monitoring and analysing the measures announced by the United States on April 2, 2025.
1/7
![Sreenshot: "The recent announcements will have substantial implications for global trade and economic growth prospects. While the situation is rapidly evolving, our initial estimates suggest that these measures, coupled with those introduced since the beginning of the year, could lead to an [stat highlight] overall contraction of around 1% in global merchandise trade volumes this year, representing a downward revision of nearly four percentage points from previous projections.[End highlight] I'm deeply concerned about this decline and the potential for escalation into a tariff war with a cycle of retaliatory measures that lead to further declines in trade.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:5xtc4zpinxoaz26crj2rsijo/bafkreigxqkhqg2an2ac2z32o73md4hjua432rtkibvurkqgqrvjey4cu4q@jpeg)
April 3, 2025 at 4:52 PM
3 April 2025
Statement from Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO
“The WTO Secretariat is closely monitoring and analysing the measures announced by the United States on April 2, 2025.
1/7
Statement from Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the WTO
“The WTO Secretariat is closely monitoring and analysing the measures announced by the United States on April 2, 2025.
1/7
An alternative explanation for that lovely formula: blind the public with science (maths). Present a formula with lots of Greek letters to make it look authentic (and so that few people bother to work it out). Bury an explanation that two of those variables cancel each other out and disappear.
3/3
3/3
April 3, 2025 at 2:51 PM
An alternative explanation for that lovely formula: blind the public with science (maths). Present a formula with lots of Greek letters to make it look authentic (and so that few people bother to work it out). Bury an explanation that two of those variables cancel each other out and disappear.
3/3
3/3
April 3, 2025 at 3:16 AM
March 27, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Now that is naughty, John. As you know, it's up to the members to call for this, not the WTO DG. (No room here for why it's a bad idea)
And guess what? Someone has. It's on the agenda of tomorrow's General Council meeting.
Guess who's called for it. Yes. China.
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
And guess what? Someone has. It's on the agenda of tomorrow's General Council meeting.
Guess who's called for it. Yes. China.
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
February 17, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Now that is naughty, John. As you know, it's up to the members to call for this, not the WTO DG. (No room here for why it's a bad idea)
And guess what? Someone has. It's on the agenda of tomorrow's General Council meeting.
Guess who's called for it. Yes. China.
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
And guess what? Someone has. It's on the agenda of tomorrow's General Council meeting.
Guess who's called for it. Yes. China.
docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...
On the WTO General Council's agenda next week (Tue and Wed):
8. Heightened Trade Turbulence and Responses from the WTO – Request from China
(That's one way of describing it)
3 and 4. draft decisions to add 2 "plurlateral" agreements to the WTO's package of agreements
8. Heightened Trade Turbulence and Responses from the WTO – Request from China
(That's one way of describing it)
3 and 4. draft decisions to add 2 "plurlateral" agreements to the WTO's package of agreements
February 13, 2025 at 6:18 PM
On the WTO General Council's agenda next week (Tue and Wed):
8. Heightened Trade Turbulence and Responses from the WTO – Request from China
(That's one way of describing it)
3 and 4. draft decisions to add 2 "plurlateral" agreements to the WTO's package of agreements
8. Heightened Trade Turbulence and Responses from the WTO – Request from China
(That's one way of describing it)
3 and 4. draft decisions to add 2 "plurlateral" agreements to the WTO's package of agreements