Afternoon Discussion: Shaping WTO reform next steps: a stronger role for business?

At the recent Ministerial meetings in Davos, members of the Canada-led Ottawa group have agreed on a common objective to be more inclusive of the business community’s preoccupations on WTO reform. At the same time, there is a growing consensus in the business community that issues such as subsidies, and creating a global level playing field should be addressed by a reformed WTO. How can this be best achieved, and what are the priorities of small and large businesses, producers, manufacturers, and farmers as we move forward with the reform? How to ensure their voices are heard?

At the occasion of Canada’s Ambassador to the WTO Stephen de Boer’s visit in Brussels, we invite you to join this timely discussion in which we will discuss the following questions:

– Is the trilateral EU-US-Japan statement on trade-distorting practices (including subsidies) the key to initiating a broader discussion towards creating a level playing field for companies in the WTO context?

– What are the expectations for progress on the negotiation pillar (fisheries subsidies, agriculture and e-commerce) in the lead up to MC-12?

– Where is the Ottawa group initiative going and what could be the contribution of business to these discussions going forward?

– How can industry stakeholders act as a positive driver towards a broader global consensus on such questions?