The U.S. will make a statement in the dispute on the U.S. origin marking requirements for goods from Hong Kong during the World Trade Organization's Jan. 26 dispute settlement body meeting, the WTO said. A dispute panel ruled against the U.S. national security defense of its trade measure requiring goods from Hong Kong to be labeled as being made in China (see 2212220029).

Expect new EU action at the World Trade Organization in 2024, four Akin attorneys said in a Jan. 23 blog poost. With the exceptions of 2023 and 2007, the EU has filed at least one complaint every year since 1995, and is expected to "go back on the offensive" by starting at least one or two WTO spats this year, the attorneys said.

Turkey opened two safeguard investigations Jan. 12, one on knitted or crocheted fabrics, the other on paper and cardboard, it told the World Trade Organization's Committee on Safeguards, the WTO said. Turkey said that parties seeking to comment on the investigations must complete and submit to the nation's General Directorate the relevant questionnaires within 30 days following the publication of the notices of investigation.

World Trade Organization members will vote on the accession of Timor-Leste to the global trade body during the Feb. 26-29 Ministerial Conference, the WTO announced. Talks pertaining to Timor-Leste's accession wrapped up in just over seven years, which is a record for the accession of a least-developed country, the WTO said.

World Trade Organization members attending the 13th Ministerial Conference Feb. 26-29 will vote on Comoros' accession to the global trade body. Members agreed on the terms of Comoros' membership on Jan. 9, the body announced. WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stressed the importance of least-developed nations, like Comoros, joining the WTO.