Japan, US, EU Continue to Work on WTO Subsidy Notification, Tech Transfer Disciplines

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer issued a joint communique after a Jan. 9 trilateral meeting in Washington with EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom and Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Hiroshige Seko, to address non-market policies through the World Trade Organization (see 1901090023). They talked about finalizing text for the WTO on industrial subsidies by spring, and identified additional criteria that indicate market-oriented conditions. They are working on new rules on forced technology transfers, and coordinating on investment review and export controls. In Geneva in November 2018, they submitted a joint transparency and notification proposal to the Council for Trade in Goods and agreed during the meeting in Washington to work together to convince other countries to accept that notification proposal. They also are renewing their call for advanced WTO member countries that claim developing country status to stop using that status as an excuse to not undertake full commitments on trade within the organization.