2023/2868(RSP) | [ParlTrack]

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas a strong, open and inclusive multilateral trading system shall plays a~~n essential~~ role in reaching global goals on climate change and achieving net zero through, for example, the exchange of the goods and services essential for clean- energy technologies and a circular economy; whereas global trade shall contribute to the goal of minimising maritime transport emissions; whereas, in line with the COP28 outcome, WTO initiatives should only facilitate sustainable investment;

Amendment 12 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas a strong, open and inclusive multilateral trading system ~~plays an essential role in reaching global goals on climate change and achieving net z~~could contribute to address global environmental challenges only if pragmatic rules are applied equally by all; considers howevero th~~rough, for example, the exchange of the goods and services e~~at the lack of reciprocity and the increasing assenrti~~al for clean- energy technologies and a circular economy~~veness of WTO members proves to be challenging in pursuing credible results;

Amendment 13 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. wWhereas a strong, open and inclusive multilateral trading system plays an essential role in reaching global goals on climate change and achieving net zero through, for example, the exchange of the goods ~~and serv~~,services and practices, essential for clean- energy technologies and a circular economy;

Amendment 14 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Anne SANDER

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital B

B. whereas a strong, open and inclusive multilateral trading system should plays an essential role in reaching global goals on climate change and achieving net zero through, for example, the exchange of the goods and services essential for clean- energy technologies and a circular economy;

Amendment 15 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas Parliament’s initiative report on the implementation of the common commercial policy of 18 September 2020 called to the conclusion of trade agreements ensuring a strict reciprocity and respecting Europe’s high norms and standards in sensitive sectors;

Amendment 16 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital B a (new)

B a. whereas international trade and related intellectual property rules should provide more flexibility for developing countries to put in place industrial and innovation policies to nurture their nascent industries so that new green technology sectors can emerge;

Amendment 17 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the WTO rules-based multilateral trading system is currently under a great deal of pressure, subject to geopolitical tensions and unilateral measures, as well as an unjustified reliance on General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) exceptions by some of its members, which is already resulting in a more fragmented and less predictable context for trade policywhich is already resulting in more fragmentation and diminishing trust in trade policy; whereas an insufficient number of developing and least developed countries have economically evolved beyond the need for General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) exceptions; whereas the reliance on the GATT exceptions must be addressed in the context of the WTO Reform agenda; whereas the outcome at MC12 proved that the WTO can still deliver multilateral agreements and respond to emergencies;

Amendment 18 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the rules-based multilateral trading system is currently under a great deal of pressure, subject to geopolitical tensions and unilateral measures, as well as an unjustified reliance on the security exception of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) ~~exceptions~~ by some of its members, which is already resulting in a more fragmented and less predictable context for trade policy; whereas 75% of trade still takes place on the basis of MFN tariffs which confirms the WTO as the backbone of the global economy; whereas the outcome at MC12 proved that the WTO can still deliver multilateral agreements and respond to emergencies;

Amendment 19 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the rules-based multilateral trading system is currently under a great deal of pressure, subject to geopolitical tensions ~~and~~caused by the decisions of WTO members using it for political purposes and the unilateral measures taken by them, as well as an unjustified reliance on General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) exceptions by some of its members, which is already resulting in a more fragmented and less predictable context for trade policy; whereas the outcome at MC12 proved that the WTO can still deliver multilateral agreements and respond to emergencies;

Amendment 2 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)

– having regard to the Ministerial statements on plastic pollution and environmentally-sustainable plastics trade, trade and environmental sustainability and on fossil fuel subsidies adopted in December 2021,

Amendment 20 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the rules-based multilateral trading system is currently under a great deal of pressure, subject to geopolitical tensions and unilateral measures, as well as an unjustified reliance on General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) exceptions by some of its members, which is already resulting in a more fragmented and less predictable context for trade policy; whereas the limited outcome at MC12 ~~proved that the WTO can still deliver multilateral agreements and respond to emergencies~~and the increasing fragmentation between the members proved once again the weaknesses of WTO role as the core of the multilateral system;

Amendment 21 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital C

C. whereas the rules-based multilateral trading system is currently under a great deal of pressure, subject to geopolitical tensions and unilateral measures, as well as an unjustified reliance on the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) national security exceptions by some of its members, which is already resulting in a more fragmented and less predictable context for trade policy; whereas the outcome at MC12 proved that the WTO can still deliver multilateral agreements ~~and respond to emergencies~~;

Amendment 22 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital C a (new)

C a. whereas the unfair non-market policies and practices pursued by China lead to a lack of reciprocity, jeopardising the level playing field, not only at bilateral level but also at international level, and ultimately undermining the credibility of WTO;

Amendment 23 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies agreed at MC12 is the first ever multilateral trade agreement with environmental sustainability at its core, addressing overcapacity and overfishing subsidies which represent more than half of all fisheries subsidies and prohibiting by establishing a binding set of global rules to curb the harmful subsidies provided by governments to the fishing sector, as mandated under SDG 14.6; whereas the agreement does not yet include disciplines on fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, on which negotiations are still ongoing and must be pursued;

Amendment 24 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital D

D. whereas the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies agreed at MC12 is the first ever multilateral trade agreement with environmental sustainability at its core, establishing a binding set of global rules to ~~curb the~~help curb an estimated USD 22 billion per year in harmful subsidies provided by governments to the fishing sector, as mandated under SDG 14.6; whereas the agreement does not yet include disciplines on fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, on which negotiations are still ongoing;

Amendment 25 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

D a. whereas the 12th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC12) adopted a Decision on 17 June 2022 providing limited flexibilities in the framework of the TRIPS agreement to enable the production and supply of Covid-19 vaccines, while postponing the decision on the extension of the scope of these flexibilities to Covid-19 therapeutics and diagnostics; whereas WTO rules should enable flexibility for developing countries to contribute to the uptake of clean and green technology and put in place domestic industrial and innovation policies to support infant industries that will contribute to the decarbonisation of the world economy;

Amendment 26 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital D a (new)

D a. whereas food security remains challenging, as 258 million people were in crisis or worse levels of acute food insecurity in 2022 up from 193 million in 2021; whereas the WTO Uruguay round Agreement on Agriculture explicitly acknowledges the importance of considering food security in ongoing negotiations; whereas trade has the potential to enhance the availability of food in regions where it is limited, and it can also contribute to improved economic access to food by generating employment opportunities and increasing incomes;

Amendment 27 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital D b (new)

D b. whereas WTO Members have proven their commitment to addressing food shortages and ensuring emergency food aid for the most vulnerable, both in the Ministerial Declaration on the emergency response to food insecurity, as well as the Ministerial Decision on exempting World Food Programme (WFP) humanitarian food purchases from export prohibitions or restrictions agreed at MC12;

Amendment 28 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital D c (new)

D c. whereas sustainable trade can help mitigate and fight against climate change;

Amendment 29 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital E

E. whereas as of 11 December 2019, the WTO Appellate Body ceased to be operational, which brought to a standstill the functional, independent and impartial appellate stage; whereas at MC12, WTO members committed to conducting discussions with a view to having a fully and properly functioning dispute settlement system accessible to all WTO members by 2024, but this ambition is still blocked by the decisions of WTO members;

Amendment 3 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Citation 6 a (new)

– having regard to the Buenos Aires Declaration on Trade and Women’s Economic Empowerment endorsed on 12 December 2017 and the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender established on 23 September 2020,

Amendment 30 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital F a (new)

F a. wheras the MC12 Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement concerning a TRIPS waiver is of limited scope covering only vaccines; whereas diagnostics and therapeutics are essential tools for a comprehensive approach to fight the pandemic, which is not over; whereas the WTO Council for Trade- Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) is holding negotiations related to the extension of the WTO TRIPS waiver on COVID-19 vaccines;

Amendment 31 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Reiterates its full commitment to the enduring value of multilateralism and underlines that a modernised multilateral system to govern trade is essential; calls for a trade agenda based on fair and rules- based trade for the benefit of all, which contributes to sustainable economic growth and prosperity, thereby strengthening peace and security; emphasises the importance of the SDGs, social, health, environmental and human rights and ensuring that multilaterally agreed and harmonised rules are applied by all;

Amendment 32 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Reiterates its full commitment to the enduring value of multilateralism and underlines that a multilateral system to govern trade is essential; calls for a trade agenda based on fair and rules-based trade for the benefit of all, which contributes to sustainable economic development, beyond the narrow definition of GDP growth, and prosperity, thereby strengthening peace and security; emphasises the importance of the SDGs, social, environmental and human rights and ensuring that multilaterally agreed and harmonised rules are applied by all;

Amendment 33 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Reiterates its full commitment to the enduring value of multilateralism and underlines that a multilateral system to govern trade is essential; calls for a trade agenda based on fair and rules-based trade for the benefit of all, which contributes to sustainable economic growth and prosperity, thereby strengthening peace and security; emphasises th~~e importance~~at the WTO has the potential to promote the realisation of the SDGs, social, environmental and human rights and ensuring that multilaterally agreed and harmonised rules are applied by all;

Amendment 34 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 1

1. Reiterates its full commitment to the enduring value of multilateralism and underlines that a multilateral system to govern trade is essential; calls for a trade agenda based on fair and rules-based trade for the benefit of all, which contributes to sustainable economic growth and prosperity, thereby strengthening peace and security; emphasises the importance of the SDGs, social, environmental and human rights and ensuring that multilaterally agreed and harmonised rules are applied by all to ensure a level-playing field;

Amendment 35 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Urges all WTO members to commit to a successful outcome of MC13 that delivers on mandated issues; believes that MC13 should be the starting point for advancing and modernising the WTO to ensure it can play a role in addressing the challenges of the 21st century, including issues such as climate change ~~and sustainability~~, food security, loss of biodiversity, access to medicines, sustainability, and poverty reduction; urges all WTO members to step up their efforts to focus on tangible outcomes that show that the WTO can address current challenges; welcomes the guidance given by the Senior Officials’ Meeting on 22 and 23 October 2023; asks WTO members, in particular, to conclude the second phase of the multilateral agreement on fisheries subsidies, and permanent solution for public stockholding for food security, the extension of the COVID-19 vaccine waiver to include diagnostics and treatments and to adopt a comprehensive package on institutional reform, including a decision that would lead to a fully functioning dispute settlement system;

Amendment 36 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Urges all WTO members to commit to a successful outcome of MC13; believes that MC13 should be the starting point for advancing and modernising the WTO to ensure it can play a role in addressing the challenges of the 21st century, including issues such as climate change and sustainability; urges all WTO members to step up their efforts to focus on tangible outcomes that show that the WTO can address current challenges; welcomes the guidance given by the Senior Officials’ Meeting on 22 and 23 October 2023; asks WTO members, in particular, to conclude the second phase of the multilateral agreement on fisheries subsidies and to overcome the remaining stumbling blocks in order to finally adopt a comprehensive package onf institutional reforms, including a decision that would lead to a fully functioning dispute settlement system;

Amendment 37 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Urges all WTO members to commit to a successful outcome of MC13; believes that MC13 should be the starting point for advancing and modernising the WTO to ensure it can play a role in addressing ~~the~~ challenges of the 21st century, including issues such as digital economy, competitiveness of businesses based on level playing field, climate change and sustainability in all its dimensions; urges all WTO members to step up their efforts to focus on tangible outcomes that show that the WTO can address current challenges; welcomes the guidance given by the Senior Officials’ Meeting on 22 and 23 October 2023; asks WTO members, in particular, to conclude the second phase of the multilateral agreement on fisheries subsidies and adopt a comprehensive package on institutional reform, including a decision that would lead to a fully functioning dispute settlement system;

Amendment 38 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Urges all WTO members to commit to a successful outcome of MC13; believes that MC13 should be the starting point for advancing and modernising the WTO to ensure it can play a role in addressing the challenges of the 21st century, including issues such as climate change and sustainability; urges all WTO members to step up their efforts to focus on tangible outcomes that show that the WTO can address current challenges; welcomes the guidance given by the Senior Officials’ Meeting on 22 and 23 October 2023; asks WTO members, in particular, to conclude the second phase of the multilateral agreement on fisheries subsidies and adopt a comprehensive package on institutional reform, including a decision that would lead to a fully functioning dispute settlement system and a more enhanced role of the WTO Secretariat;

Amendment 39 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 2

2. Urges all WTO members to commit to a successful outcome of MC13; believes that MC13 should be the starting point for advancing and modernising the WTO to ensure it can play a role in addressing the challenges of the 21st century, including on issues such as climate change and sustainability; urges all WTO members to step up their efforts to focus on tangible outcomes that show that the WTO can address current challenges; welcomes the guidance given by the Senior Officials’ Meeting on 22 and 23 October 2023; asks WTO members, in particular, to conclude the second phase of the multilateral agreement on fisheries subsidies and adopt a comprehensive package on institutional reform, including a decision that would lead to a fully functioning dispute settlement system;

Amendment 4 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Citation 6 b (new)

– having regard to the Bali Ministerial Decision of 7 December 2013 on Public Stockholding for Food Security Purposes7a _________________ 7a https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/min ist_e/mc9_e/desci38_e.htm and https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/min ist_e/mc9_e/nov14stockholding_e.htm

Amendment 40 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that it is now a matter of urgency to proceed to a substantive reform of the WTO and that this should be reflected in the outcome of MC13; welcomes all the work that has been carried out in this regard since the last Ministerial Conference; calls on WTO members to adopt a comprehensive package reviewing the monitoring, negotiating, deliberative and dispute settlement functions of the WTO, in which due attention should also be given to the parliamentary dimension of the WTO, with a view to increasing the WTO’s effectiveness, inclusiveness, transparency and legitimacy; recalls that a binding, two- tier and independent process should remain the core objective;

Amendment 41 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 3

3. Considers that it is now a matter of urgency to proceed to a substantive reform of the WTO and that this should be reflected in the outcome of MC13; welcomes all the work that has been carried out in this regard since the last Ministerial Conference; calls on WTO members to adopt a comprehensive package reviewing the monitoring, negotiating, deliberative and dispute settlement functions of the WTO, in which due attention should also be given to the parliamentary dimension of the WTO, with a view to increasing the WTO’s effectiveness, inclusiveness, transparency, credibility and legitimacy;

Amendment 42 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the constructive engagement by all WTO members to restore a fully functioning dispute settlement system; commends the work of the facilitator in steering the process that should lead to a consolidated draft text to be submitted to MC13; calls on members to reach an agreement on the dispute settlement system at MC13; recalls that a binding, two-tier and independent process should remain the core objective;deleted

Amendment 43 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. ~~Welcomes th~~Calls for an even more constructive engagement by all WTO members to restore a fully functioning dispute settlement system; commends the work of the facilitator in steering the process that should lead to a consolidated draft text to be submitted to MC13; ~~calls on members to reach an agreement on the dispute settlement system at MC13; recalls that a binding, two-tier and independent process should remain the core objective~~regrets, however, that no acceptable proposal could be found by 18 December as originally planned; calls on members to put in place constructive and transparent discussions to reach an agreement on the dispute settlement system at MC13; recalls that a binding, two-tier and independent process should remain the core objective; invites members to consider joining the multi-party interim appeal arbitration arrangement (MPIA) to demonstrate their commitment to a fair and functioning dispute-settlement system and in order to bridge the time until a fully-functioning dispute-settlement body at WTO level is up and running again;

Amendment 44 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 4

4. Welcomes the constructive engagement by all WTO members to restore a fully functioning dispute settlement system as swiftly as possible that tackles, amongst others, the excessive length and cost of procedures with their endless number of intervening parties; commends the work of the facilitator in steering the process that should lead to a consolidated draft text to be submitted to MC13; calls on members to reach an agreement on the dispute settlement system at MC13; recalls that a binding, two-tier and independent process should remain the core objective;

Amendment 45 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Urges all WTO members which have not yet done so, to swiftly ratify the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, in order for the agreement to enter into force as soon as possible, for which ratification by two thirds of the membership is required; stresses the crucial importance of also reaching an agreement on disciplines on fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, in order to achieve ocean sustainability; while respecting the needs for special and differential treatment in line with SDG 14.6;

Amendment 46 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Urges all WTO members which have not yet done so, to swiftly ratify the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, in order for the agreement to enter into force as soon as possible, for which ratification by two thirds of the membership is required; stresses the crucial importance of also reaching an agreement on disciplines on fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, in order to a~~chieve ocean sustainability~~void depleting marine biological resources and allow for their sustainable management;

Amendment 47 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5

5. Urges all WTO members which have not yet done so, to swiftly ratify the WTO Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies, in order for the agreement to enter into force as soon as possible, for which ratification by two thirds of the membership is required; stresses the crucial importance of also reaching an agreement swiftly on disciplines on fisheries subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, in order to achieve ocean sustainability;

Amendment 48 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Welcomes the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the WTO and FAO during COP28, which will strengthen collaboration in 17 areas of common interest, including climate change, food security and support for the WTO's ongoing negotiations on agricultural reform, the implementation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies adopted at the WTO's 12th Ministerial Conference, including on projects funded through the Fisheries Funding Mechanism Trust Fund; notes with interest the pledge to develop joint publications on topics around the nexus between food security, agriculture, fisheries, biodiversity, climate change, nutrition and trade;

Amendment 49 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5 a. Calls on WTO members to extend as soon as possible the flexibilities agreed for Covid-19 vaccines in the Ministerial Declaration on TRIPS on 17 June 2022 to also cover Covid-19 therapeutics and diagnostics;

Amendment 5 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Citation 6 c (new)

– having regard to the communication submitted by India and South Africa on the legal status of Joint Statement Initiatives in March 2021; the communication from the African group on perspectives on institutional reform in July 2023 [WT/GC/W/895] and on The Role of Transfer of Technology in Resilience Building [WT/GC/W/883]; and the G90 declaration on special and differential treatment from July 2021,

Amendment 50 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses the need to mainstream the development dimension of the WTO, including through the WTO reform process and through making the special and differential treatment fit for purpose for the 21st century; regrets that the WTO has not yet delivered on its Doha Development Agenda, where issues such as public policy exceptions, special and differential treatment, special safeguard mechanisms, technology transfers and capacity building have a prominent place; welcomes, in this context, the decision already taken on the extension of support measures to assist least-developed countries (LDCs) on the path to graduation from LDC status, in order to provide a smooth and sustainable transitional period for the withdrawal of trade preferences; emphasizes the need to formulate an agenda on concrete steps to increase flows of technology to the Global South, aimed at a workable mechanism for technology transfer including IPR and the transfer of knowledge and skills;

Amendment 51 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses the need to mainstream the development dimension of the WTO, including through the WTO reform process and through making the special and differential treatment fit for purpose for the 21st century; welcomes, in this context, the decision already taken on the extension of support measures to assist least-developed countries (LDCs) on the path to graduation from LDC status, in order to provide a smooth and sustainable transitional period for the withdrawal of trade preferences; reiterates its call that the special and differential treatment mechanism should be re-examined and revised in order to better reflect human development indices while protecting policy space for addressing unfair trade, and calls therefore on WTO members to revise the system; underlines, however, that self- assertion of development status as only criterion could lead to unfair trade;

Amendment 52 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses the need to mainstream the development dimension of the WTO, including through the WTO reform process and through making the special and differential treatment fit for purpose for the 21st century; underlines in this regard that China should no longer be considered a developing country; welcomes, in this context, the decision already taken on the extension of support measures to assist least-developed countries (LDCs) on the path to graduation from LDC status, in order to provide a smooth and sustainable transitional period for the withdrawal of trade preferences;

Amendment 53 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6

6. Stresses the need to mainstream the development dimension of the WTO, including through the WTO reform process ~~and through mak~~while respecting the special and differential treatment ~~fit for purpose for the 21st century~~principle; welcomes, in this context, the decision already taken on the extension of support measures to assist least-developed countries (LDCs) on the path to graduation from LDC status, in order to provide a smooth and sustainable transitional period for the withdrawal of trade preferences;

Amendment 54 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 6 a (new)

6 a. Takes note that WTO Members increasingly consider Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS) as useful tools of industrial development and economic diversification; recommends to endeavour on modernising the WTO TRIMS Agreement of 1995, as in the context of global supply-chain disruptions, pandemics and geo-political conflicts and the reconfiguration of globalization, it is important to focus on how these tools can be used to respond to the challenges of the moment; points out that the heightened focus on strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation bring into sharp focus the need for the development of capabilities that enable structural transformation and decarbonization in response to these imperatives; is convinced that increased policy space would allow developing countries to make good on the benefits arising from trade, alongside achieving their industrial diversification, climate goals and digital transformation;

Amendment 55 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Underlines the need to reinvigorate discussions on State support for industrial sectors within the WTO, with a view to increasing transparency and adapting the WTO rulebook on subsidies in order to respond to contemporary challenges and effectively address negative spillover effects such as overcapacity; underlines the importance of including the role of SOEs as providers of support in the framework of this discussion; recalls that subsidies can serve to achieve legitimate police objectives and therefore a sufficient policy space should be guaranteed; underlines that any possible release of WTO rules on subsidies, including of the ASCM, should apply to all members in order to ensure reciprocity; takes the view that MC13 should launch a time-limited work programme to allow for deliberation on State intervention in support of industrial sectors, in order to provide recommendations for MC14;

Amendment 56 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Underlines the need to reinvigorate discussions on State support for industrial sectors within the WTO, including an update of the Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (ASCM), with a view to increasing transparency and adapting the WTO rulebook on subsidies in order to respond to contemporary challenges, namely climate change, and effectively address negative spillover effects such as overcapacity and carbon- intensive supply chains; takes the view that MC13 should launch a time-limited work programme to allow for deliberation on State intervention in support of industrial sectors, in order to provide recommendations for MC14, paying particular attention to the positive and negative impacts of industrial subsidies on both trade and the environment, as well as possible flexibilities for countries with a low per capita income;

Amendment 57 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Underlines the need to reinvigorate discussions on Sstimulating industrialisation and trade, particularly on how WTO rules can facilitate the structural transformation, diversification and industrialisation of developing economies, the need for technology transfer to support green industrialisation, and state support for industrial sectors within the WTO, with a view to increasing transparency and adapting the WTO rulebook on subsidies and policy space for industrialisation in order to respond to contemporary challenges ~~and effectively address negative spillover effects such as overcapacity~~; takes the view that MC13 should launch a time- limited work programme to allow for deliberation on ~~State intervention in support of industrial sector~~these issues, in order to provide recommendations for MC14;

Amendment 58 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7

7. Underlines the need to reinvigorate discussions on State support for industrial sectors within the WTO, with a view to increasing transparency and adapting the WTO rulebook on subsidies in order to respond to contemporary challenges, to the unfair practices of certain WTO members, and effectively address negative spillover effects such as overcapacity; takes the view that MC13 should launch a time-limited work programme to allow for deliberation on State intervention in support of industrial sectors, in order to provide recommendations for MC14;

Amendment 59 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 7 a (new)

7 a. Stresses the importance of starting negotiations on technology transfer to developing countries in order to meet their industrialisation and climate goals;

Amendment 6 #

Marie-Pierre VEDRENNE, Jérémy DECERLE

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the WTO was created to further the liberalisation of trade in goods and services in a manner that is consistent with countries' respective needs and different levels of economic development, strengthen multilateralism and foster an open, inclusive, rules-based and non- discriminatory multilateral trading system, in order to improve the welfare of people around the world; whereas the WTO members recognise that trade and economic relations among them should aim at raising standards of living, ensuring full employment and a large and steadily growing volume of real income, while seeking both to protect and preserve the environment; whereas the overall objective of EU’s trade policy is to contribute to the harmonious development of world trade, the progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade and on foreign direct investment, and the lowering of customs and other barriers; whereas EU’s trade ~~is vital and~~policy should be consistent with the general provisions guiding its external action that aim to foster the sustainable economic, social and environmental development of developing countries, with the primary aim of eradicating poverty; whereas international trade should be a key instrument for supporting and complementing efforts to advance ~~sustain~~equitable gpro~~wth~~sperity and improve standards of living, ensuring full employment and a large and steadily growing volume of real income in accordance with the objective of sustainable development; whereas global trade has failed to deliver shared prosperity across the globe;

Amendment 60 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses the need to make progress in the agriculture negotiations in order to obtain credible results on issues such as food sovereignty, public stockholding for food security purposes, domestic support, market access, cotton, export restrictions and export competition, and strengthening the agricultural sector to respond to c~~ontemporary~~urrent challenges, including ~~rural liveliho~~fair incomes for farmers and rural populations environmental sustainability and fairer conditions of competition taking into account modes ~~and environmental sustainability~~of production; highlights that the EU should advocate for higher sustainability criteria and engage with international partners to jointly develop the benchmarks and international standards for sustainable food systems, in accordance with WTO rules, working progressively towards achieving higher and ambitious standards in line with the objectives of the Green Deal;

Amendment 61 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses the need to make progress in the agriculture negotiations in order to obtain credible results on issues such as a permanent solution on public stockholding for food security purposes and enabling regional food storage initiatives, domestic support, market access, cotton, export restrictions and export competition, and strengthening the agricultural sector to respond to contemporary challenges, including rural livelihoods and environmental sustainability; calls to build on the EU agriculture ministers 2022 commitments toward greater transparency in communicating data on private stocks of grains and oilseeds, and to support at WTO level a greater sharing of data on commodity trading and private stocks with the Committee on World Food Security;

Amendment 62 #

Arnaud DANJEAN, Anne SANDER

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses the need to make progress in the agriculture negotiations in order to obtain credible results on issues such as public stockholding for food security purposes, domestic support, market access, cotton, export restrictions and export competition, and strengthening the agricultural sector to respond to contemporary challenges, including food safety and food sovereignty, decent work, rural livelihoods and environmental sustainability; calls on members to support a permanent solution for public stockholding (PSH) programs for food security as requested by many developing countries;

Amendment 63 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses the need to make progress in the agriculture negotiations in order to obtain credible results on issues such as public stockholding for food security purposes, domestic support, market access, cotton, export restrictions and export competition, and strengthening the agricultural sector to respond to contemporary challenges, including rural livelihoods and environmental sustainability; emphasises the need to ensure fair competition and a loyal playing field for farmers by reciprocity in particular in the light of environmental transition;

Amendment 64 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8

8. Stresses the need to make progress in the agriculture negotiations in order to obtain credible results on issues such as public stockholding for food security purposes, domestic support, market access, cotton, export restrictions and export competition, and strengthening the agricultural sector to respond to contemporary challenges, including rural livelihoods and environmental sustainability; calls for better information sharing and transparency on agriculture policies and subsidies to help advancing negotiations;

Amendment 65 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Underlines the need for an outcome on food security, including concrete actions to increase the resilience of LDCs and Net Food-Importing Developing Countries in their response to acute food instability;

Amendment 66 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 a (new)

8 a. Stresses the need to immediately extend and expand the TRIPS waiver to include diagnostics and therapeutics in order to increase the world-wide preparedness for pandemics as decided during MC12;

Amendment 67 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 8 b (new)

8 b. Backs the call of WTO director- general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala for relaunching negotiations on Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA), which could help to facilitate global efforts to harness trade for decarbonisation purposes;

Amendment 68 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expects the WTO reform to create an easier path for open plurilateral agreements to be integrated into the multilateral architecture in order to ensure progress in areas not mature enough for the entire membership; invites all WTO members to reflect on a way to develop a new system for enhanced cooperation such as is used in the European Union, and on that basis establish a straightforward mechanism which allows the resulting agreements to be incorporatedwhile fully respecting Articles IX and X of the WTO Agreement that require consensus and overall transparency as necessary conditions for integrating plurilateral agreements into the WTO ~~stru~~architecture;

Amendment 69 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expects the WTO ~~reform to create an easier path for open~~to abide by the rules of Articles IX and X of the WTO agreement that require consensus and overall transparency as necessary conditions for plurilateral agreements to be integrated into the multilateral architecture; i~~n order to ensure progress in areas not mature enough for~~s concerned about the risks of eroding the eintire membership; invites all WTO members to reflect on a way to develop a new system for enhanced cooperation such as is used in the European Union, and on that basis establish a straightforward mechanism which allows the resulting agreements to be incorporated into the WTO structureegrity of the rule-based multilateral trading system, calls on Members to focus their discussions on mandated issues and seek consensus on new ones;

Amendment 7 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the WTO was created to further the liberalisation of trade in goods and services, strengthen multilateralism and foster an open, inclusive, rules-based and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system, in order to improve the welfare of people around the world; whereas the overall objective of EU’s trade policy is to contribute to the harmonious development of world trade, the progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade and on foreign direct investment, and the lowering of customs and other barriers; whereas trade is vital and a key instrument for supporting and complementing efforts to advance sustainable growth and improve standards of living, ensuring full employment and a large and steadily growing volume of real income in accordance with the objective of sustainable development, seeking both to protect and preserve the environment and to enhance the means for doing so in a manner consistent with their respective needs and concerns at different levels of economic development; whereas EU’s trade policy should be consistent with the objectives of sustainable development, the eradication of poverty and the promotion of human rights;

Amendment 70 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 9

9. Expects the WTO reform to create an easier path for open plurilateral agreements to be integrated into the multilateral architecture in order to ensure progress in areas not mature enough for the entire membership; ~~inv~~reiterates therefore ites call to WTO members to reflect on a way to develop a new system ~~for enhanced cooperation such as is used in the European Union~~, with clear principles and a minimum of members that should participate in a plurilateral initiative, and on that basis establish a straightforward mechanism which allows the resulting agreements to be incorporated into the WTO structure;

Amendment 71 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations on the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement in order to create a more transparent, efficient and predictable environment for facilitating cross-border investment and the participation of developing countries in global investment flows; reminds of the importance to respect WTO members' ability to adopt measures in support of their public policy objectives, such as sustainable development or human rights and to support and incentivise investments that support sustainable development and do not contradict other goals such as fossil fuel phase out; underlines the importance of an overall EU approach as regards investment facilitation that focuses on cooperation, including capacity building and technical assistance, notably as regards support for digitalisation in developing countries; supports the incorporation of this agreement into the WTO rulebook under Annex 4 on Plurilateral Trade Agreements, as established in Article X.9 of the WTO Agreement ~~and considers that this can serve as a model for future plurilateral agreement~~provided this decision is taken by consensus by WTO members;

Amendment 72 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. ~~Welcom~~Notes the conclusion of the negotiations on the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement in order to create a more transparent, efficient and predictable environment for facilitating cross-border investment and the participation of developing countries in global investment flows; supports the incorporation of this agreement into the WTO rulebook under Annex 4 on Plurilateral Trade Agreements, as established in Article X.9 of the WTO Agreement and considers that this can serve as a model for future plurilateral agreementis concerned that the disciplines included would expose the policy and regulatory space of governments vis-a-vis foreign investments to external scrutiny and pressure, at a time when more policy and regulatory tools are required to align investment with sustainable transformations in the economy; stresses that the the incorporation of this agreement into the WTO rulebook needs to be done by consensus;

Amendment 73 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 10

10. Welcomes the conclusion of the negotiations on the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement in order to create a more fair, transparent, efficient and predictable environment for facilitating cross-border investment and the participation of developing countries in global investment flows; supports the incorporation of this agreement into the WTO rulebook under Annex 4 on Plurilateral Trade Agreements, as established in Article X.9 of the WTO Agreement and considers that this can serve as a model for future plurilateral agreements;

Amendment 74 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Highlights th~~e importance of regulating~~at digital trade, ~~as it~~ currently accounts for 25 % of total trade~~, both at multilateral and plurilateral level; supports the efforts to find a fair and permanent solution for electronic transm~~; highlights the importance of the digital economy for SMEs and developing countries; takes note of the United States decission~~s related to the moratorium; welcomes and~~ to not longer supports the broad membership, ambitious negotiating agenda and progress made to date in the WTO plurilateral negotiations on e- commerce; highlights the importance of the free flow of electronic transmissions, which are fundamental to digital trade and reduce trading costs, increase consumer welfare as well as export competitiveness, and bring significant benefits, particularly to SMEs and developing countries; recalls its position that a potential agreement needs to guarantee market access for e-commerce- related goods and services in third countries, as well as the protection of consumer and labour rights, and facilitate business innovationinclusion of rules on cross border data flows and source code in the negotiation the Joint Statement Initiative on e- commerce, which gathers 90 countries member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), including the EU; call on the EU to rethink its digital trade policy to better preserve its policy space; stresses that a potential agreement on e-commerce needs to comply with existing as well as future EU legislation related to data privacy, data flows, data localisation and source code, and that it guarantees sufficient policy space to regulate the digital realm; ~~calls on all partners to fully engage in and support efforts to conclude negotiations by MC13;~~

Amendment 75 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Highlights the importance of regulating digital trade, as it currently accounts for 25 % of total trade, both at multilateral and plurilateral level; supports the efforts to find a fair and permanent solution ~~for~~on customs duties on electronic transmissions ~~related to the moratorium~~; welcomes and supports the broad membership, ambitious negotiating agenda and progress made to date in the WTO plurilateral negotiations on e- commerce; highlights the importance of the free flow of electronic transmissions, which are fundamental to digital trade and reduce trading costs, increase consumer welfare as well as export competitiveness, and bring significant benefits, particularly to SMEs and developing countries; recalls its position that a potential agreement needs to guarantee market access for e- commerce-related goods and services in third countries, as well as the protection of consumer and labour rights, and facilitate business innovation, without preventing policy space for countries to impose customs duties should they consider this best achieves their public policy objectives; welcomes the decision by the United States to stop pushing for WTO rules on cross-border data flows and source code and to start a rethink process of its digital trade policy; stresses that a potential agreement on e-commerce needs to comply with existing as well as future EU legislation related to data ~~flows, data localisation and source code,~~protection and localisation, privacy and artificial intelligence and that it guarantees sufficient policy space to regulate the digital realm; calls on all partners to fully engage in and support efforts to conclude negotiations by MC13;

Amendment 76 #

Miapetra KUMPULA-NATRI

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Highlights the importance of regulating digital trade, as it currently accounts for 25 % of total trade, both at multilateral and plurilateral level; s~~upport~~trongly encourages the efforts to find a fair and permanent solution for electronic transmissions related to the moratorium, particularly bearing in mind the negative effects of a non-renewal, especially on small and medium enterprises and women; welcomes and supports the broad membership, ambitious negotiating agenda and progress made to date in the WTO plurilateral negotiations on e-commerce; highlights the importance of the free flow of electronic transmissions, which are fundamental to digital trade and reduce trading costs, increase consumer welfare as well as export competitiveness, and bring significant benefits, particularly to SMEs and developing countries; recalls its position that a potential agreement needs to guarantee market access for e- commerce- related goods and services in third countries, as well as the protection of consumer and labour rights, and facilitate business innovation; stresses that a potential agreement on e-commerce needs to comply with existing as well as future EU legislation related to data flows, data localisation and source code, and that it guarantees sufficient policy space to regulate the digital realm; calls on all partners to fully engage in and support efforts to conclude negotiations by MC13;

Amendment 77 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Highlights the importance of ~~regulating~~multilateral and plurilateral rules on digital trade, as it currently accounts for 25 % of total trade~~, both at multilateral and plurilateral level~~; supports the efforts to find a fair and permanent solution for electronic transmissions related to the moratorium; welcomes and supports the broad membership, ambitious negotiating agenda and progress made to date in the WTO plurilateral negotiations on e-commerce; highlights the importance of the free flow of electronic transmissions, which are fundamental to digital trade and reduce trading costs, increase consumer welfare as well as export competitiveness, and bring significant benefits, particularly to SMEs and developing countries; recalls its position that a potential agreement needs to guarantee market access for e-commerce- related goods and services in third countries, as well as the protection of consumer and labour rights, and facilitate business innovation; stresses that a potential agreement on e-commerce needs to comply with existing as well as future EU legislation related to data flows, data localisation and source code, and that it guarantees sufficient policy space to regulate the digital realm; calls on all partners to fully engage in and support efforts to conclude negotiations by MC13and allow for sufficient policy space for digital regulation in particular when it comes to issues like data flows, data localisation and source code; calls on all partners to fully engage in and support efforts to conclude negotiations by MC13; stresses the need to bridge the digital divide by sharing best practices and enhancing capacity building;

Amendment 78 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Highlights the importance of regulating digital trade, as it currently accounts for 25 % of total trade, both at multilateral and plurilateral level; supports the efforts to find a fair and permanent solution for electronic transmissions related to the moratorium; welcomes and supports the broad membership, ambitious negotiating agenda and progress made to date in the WTO plurilateral negotiations on e-commerce; highlights the importance of the free flow of electronic transmissions, which are fundamental to digital trade and reduce trading costs, increase consumer welfare as well as export competitiveness, and bring significant benefits, particularly to SMEs and developing countries; recalls its position that a potential agreement needs to guarantee a fair market access for e- commerce-related goods and services in third countries, as well as the protection of consumer and labour rights, and facilitate business innovation; stresses that a potential agreement on e-commerce needs to comply with existing as well as future EU legislation related to data flows, data localisation and source code, and that it guarantees sufficient policy space to regulate the digital realm; calls on all partners to fully engage in and support efforts to conclude negotiations by MC13;

Amendment 79 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11

11. Highlights the importance of regulating digital trade, as it currently accounts for 25 % of total trade, both at multilateral and plurilateral level; supports ~~the efforts to find a fair and permanent solution for~~making the WTO moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions ~~related to the moratorium~~permanent; welcomes and supports the broad membership, ambitious negotiating agenda and progress made to date in the WTO plurilateral negotiations on e- commerce; highlights the importance of the free flow of electronic transmissions, which are fundamental to digital trade and reduce trading costs, increase consumer welfare as well as export competitiveness, and bring significant benefits, particularly to SMEs and developing countries; recalls its position that a potential agreement needs to guarantee market access for e- commerce-related goods and services in third countries, as well as the protection of consumer and labour rights, and facilitate business innovation; stresses that a potential agreement on e-commerce needs to comply with existing as well as future EU legislation related to data flows, data localisation and source code, and that it guarantees sufficient policy space to regulate the digital realm; calls on all partners to fully engage in and support efforts to conclude negotiations by MC13;

Amendment 8 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the WTO was created to further the liberalisation of trade in goods and services, strengthen multilateralism and foster an fair, open, inclusive, rules- based and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system, in order to improve the welfare of people around the world; whereas the overall objective of EU’s trade policy is to contribute to the harmonious development of world trade, the progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade and on foreign direct investment, and the lowering of customs and other barriers, as well as ensuring the welfare of people; whereas trade is vital and a key instrument for supporting and complementing efforts to advance sustainable growth and improve standards of living, ensuring full and better-quality employment and a large and steadily growing volume of real income in accordance with the objective of sustainable development;

Amendment 80 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 a (new)

11 a. Agrees with the African group in the WTO that while e-Commerce can be used as a powerful tool to integrate marginalised communities and enterprises into the global economy, steps must be taken to address the digital divide which is pronounced in terms of existing digital infrastructure, data processing skills and digital technologies; points out that according to the UNCTAD Digital Economy Report, out of a total of 4,422 so-called colocation data centres, 80 per cent are in developed countries, with the United States accounting for about 40 per cent, while Africa and Latin America together account for less than 5 per cent of the world's colocation data centres, with the Cloud market being highly concentrated as well, with 4 out of the five providers based in US;

Amendment 81 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 11 b (new)

11 b. Calls on the WTO Members to explore mechanisms to address deepening digital inequities, mechanisms to encourage the diffusion of software technology, assess ways to foster regulatory compliance in the digital space and address anti-competitive practices by some of the prominent digital giants which are enforced through terms and conditions imposed on customers to use their digital platforms; points out the unfair trade practices which have arisen, in part, from market dominance which in turn arises from access to data;

Amendment 82 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12

12. Recalls the WTO’s commitment to MSMEs and recalls that MSMEs account for a substantial part of the global economy and have untapped potential in global value chains; urges members to continue to identify solutions that would help MSMEs increase their participation in world trade, while taking into account their specific needs ~~of developing countries~~;

Amendment 83 #

Jörgen WARBORN

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 12 a (new)

12 a. Reaffirms the Unions full commitment to WTO agreements and respect for the binding rules, including that of TRIPS, which is essential for securing a strong global IP eco-system that protects and promotes innovation and technology transfers, critical in reachig global goals in the area of health, socio- economic development, and the green transition;

Amendment 84 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Believes that the outcome of MC13 should provide an action-based agenda for trade policy supporting the 2030 SDGs and the Paris Agreement; strongly encourages WTO Members to consider all possible measures to contribute to limiting greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UNFCCC , reinforce alignment with the Paris Agreement and climate neutrality, and enhance cooperation in the WTO on measures adopted domestically; welcomes the constructive discussions carried out in the framework of plurilateral initiatives on Fossil Fuel Subsidies Reform, Dialogue on Plastic Pollution and the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD); emphasises the need to advance the discussion on goods and services that help address environmental and climate challenges; urges the EU to raise awareness about its sustainability legislation such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and deforestation, and explain the motivations behind it to make sure it is recognised as a genuine attempt to ~~make trade more sustainable~~contribute to addressing global environmental objectives and to make trade more sustainable including by providing more practical information on how the regulations apply in practice; welcomes the first ever ‘trade day’ at COP28 and the historic achievement at COP to move away from fossil fuels; expects the COP decision to be reflected in the work of the WTO;

Amendment 85 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Believes that the outcome of MC13 should provide an action-based agenda for trade policy supporting the 2030 SDGs and the Paris Agreement; strongly encourages WTO Members to consider all possible measures to contribute to limiting greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UNFCCC and the conclusions of COP28, reinforce alignment with the Paris Agreement and climate neutrality, and enhance cooperation in the WTO on measures adopted domestically; welcomes the constructive discussions carried out in the framework of the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD); ~~emphasises the need to advance the discussion on goods and services that help address environmental and climate challenges~~welcomes the Ministerial Statements on plastic pollution and environmentally- sustainable plastics trade, trade and environmental sustainability and on fossil fuel subsidies of December 2021; encourages the WTO to facilitate exchange of information and cooperation between WTO members on carbon pricing methodologies; emphasises the need to advance the discussion on goods and services that help address environmental and climate challenges, including how taking into account the process and production methods of products can be a useful lens to ensure their trade policy is in line with their own environmental, human health and animal welfare legislation; urges the EU to raise awareness about its sustainability legislation such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and deforestation, and explain the motivations behind it to make sure it is recognised as a genuine attempt to make trade more sustainable;

Amendment 86 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Believes that the outcome of MC13 should provide an action-based agenda for trade policy supporting the 2030 SDGs and the Paris Agreement and addressing the adverse impacts of current trade rules on climate change; strongly encourages WTO Members to consider all possible measures to contribute to limiting greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UNFCCC , reinforce alignment with the Paris Agreement and climate neutrality, and enhance cooperation in the WTO on measures adopted domestically; welcomes the constructive discussions carried out in the framework of the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD); ~~emphasi~~stresses the need to advance the discussion on goods and services that help address environmental and climate challenges; urges the EU to raise awareness about its sustainability legislation such as the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive, the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and deforestation regulation, and explain the motivations behind it to make sure it is recognised as a genuine attempt to make trade more sustainable;

Amendment 87 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 13

13. Believes that the outcome of MC13 should provide an action-based agenda for trade policy supporting the 2030 SDGs and the Paris Agreement; strongly encourages WTO Members to consider all possible measures to contribute to limiting greenhouse gas emissions in line with the UNFCCC , reinforce alignment with the Paris Agreement and climate neutrality, and enhance cooperation in the WTO on measures adopted domestically; welcomes the constructive discussions carried out in the framework of the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD); emphasises the need to advance the discussion on goods and services that help address environmental and climate challenges; urges the EU to raise awareness about its sustainability legislation such as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), and deforestation, and explain the motivations behind it to make sure it is recognised as a genuine attempt to make trade more sustainable and that it is not discriminatory;

Amendment 88 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Calls on WTO members to reflect on how an expansion of the scope of the TRIPS Decision to cover COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics could address existing needs and take a decision in this regard, while keeping the incentives to innovate in mind; calls on WTO members to review their national laws and policies to ensure full incorporation of all relevant IP flexibilities protecting access to medical products;

Amendment 89 #

Jörgen WARBORN

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 14 a (new)

14 a. Reminds that any unilateral measures taken by members must adhere to commitments set under WTO rules and that any potential threat towards WTO compatibility must be avoided, and the decision to employ GATT exceptions carefully considered;

Amendment 9 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Recital A

A. whereas the WTO was created to further the liberalisation of trade in goods and services, strengthen multilateralism and foster an open, inclusive, rules-based and non-discriminatory multilateral trading system, in order to improve the welfare of people around the world; whereas the overall objective of EU’s trade policy is to contribute to the harmonious development of world trade, the progressive abolition of restrictions on international trade and on foreign direct investment, and the lowering of customs and other barriers; whereas trade is vital and a key instrument for supporting and complementing efforts to advance sustainable growth and improve standards of living, creating better jobs, ensuring full employment and a large and steadily growing volume of real income in accordance with the objective of sustainable development;

Amendment 90 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls on WTO members to ensure democratic legitimacy and transparency by strengthening the parliamentary dimension of the WTO and the parliamentary conference; emphasises the importance of the work of the joint European Parliament and Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Parliamentary Conference on the WTO; stresses the need to ensure that parliamentarians have better access to trade negotiations and are involved in the formulation and implementation of WTO decisions; encourages leaders to support a new narrative on trade whereby trade is seen as enabler rather than as a hindrance to achieve sustainability, security and inclusiveness;

Amendment 91 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 16

16. Calls on WTO members to ensure democratic legitimacy and transparency by strengthening the parliamentary dimension of the WTO and the parliamentary conference; ~~emphasise~~commends the importan~~ce of the~~t work of the joint European Parliament and Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) Parliamentary Conference on the WTO; stresses the need to ensure that parliamentarians have better access to all trade negotiations and are involved in the formulation and implementation of WTO decisions;

Amendment 92 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on WTO members to enhance the exchange with all stakeholders, including civil society, trade unions, and business organisations, and to step up cooperation with other international organisations such as the International Labour Organization and more broadly the UN system; expects leaders to communicate more at different levels about the benefits of rules-based trade;

Amendment 93 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on WTO members to enhance the exchange with all stakeholders, including civil society, trade unions and business organisations, and to step up cooperation with other international organisations such as the International Labour Organization and more broadly the UN system; expects leaders to communicate more at different levels about the benefits of rules-based trade;

Amendment 94 #

Draft motion for a resolution
Paragraph 17

17. Calls on WTO members to enhance the exchange with all stakeholders, including civil society and business organisations, and to step up cooperation with other international organisations such as the International Labour Organization and more broadly the UN system; expects leaders to communicate more at ~~different~~every levels about the benefits of rules-based trade;

Amendment 95 #