UK Stresses Service Trade in First Independent Comments at WTO

In its first comments at the World Trade Organization as a separate member from the European Union, the United Kingdom said it wants to prioritize improving trade in services within the WTO for least-developed countries, calling for “streamlined” procedures for qualifications, licensing and increased transparency, according to a Feb. 4 press release. The U.K.’s ambassador to the WTO said the U.K. wants to address service trade barriers, adding that firms “often lose valuable time applying and waiting for licenses from host regulators.” In a Feb. 1 notice to the WTO, the U.K. signaled it hopes to improve trading conditions for developing countries and will continue to be a “strong supporter” of the WTO (see 2002030013).