USA

Ashton calls on EU and US to stand up for free trade in global downturn
In her speech delivered in Washington this week the EU Trade Commissioner argued that a commitment to open markets was as important in the current economic crisis as determining the right fiscal stimulus and financial regulation.
Press release
Read the full speech

WTO DISPUTE SETTLEMENT

US postpone sanctions based on the EU´s ban on hormone-treated beef
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative announced the decision to postpone 'carousel' sanctions in the context of the EU ban on hormone-treated beef. This means the US will refrain from imposing additional duties on a modified list of EU products until end of April.
Press release

MARKET ACCESS

South Africa extends tariff preferences under the Trade, Development and Cooperation Agreement (TDCA) to Bulgaria and Romania to take account of their accession to the EU in January 2007. This means that products originating from these two countries should benefit retroactively from preferential customs duties when entering South African territory.
Read the flash note

...the WTO dispute concerning hormone treated beef
"We welcome the US decision to postpone the introduction of these sanctions. The EU and U.S. are engaged in negotiations to find a way forward on this issue, and I am confident we will find a solution very soon."