MEXICO CITY: Failure to reach global customs rules deal could have a “considerable impact” on other areas of global trade negotiation, World Trade Organisation Director General Roberto Azevedo said on Monday during a visit to Mexico.
Late last month, India torpedoed a deal to simplify, standardise and streamline the rules for shipping goods across borders, known as “trade facilitation”, after it demanded concessions on agricultural stockpiling.
“If we don’t find a solution for this issue, we could see a considerable impact on other areas of world negotiation,” Azevedo said in a speech in Mexico City, referring to WTO negotiations.
“I think that we have an opportunity in September to restart talks and see if a bridge is possible,” he added.
