by David Lauder
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – The United States will continue to press for World Trade Organization (WTO) members to agree on an intellectual property framework for a Covid-19 vaccine, US Trade Representative Catherine Tai said next week. A major unit meeting to be held was postponed. Friday.
Tai’s plan to promote his vision of WTO reform is complicated by travel restrictions and a delay in the Geneva meeting due to concerns over the spread of the new Omicron version of the coronavirus.
In some tweets, Tai said the postponement is “a reminder that we still have a lot of work to do to end the pandemic.”
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela said she wanted to continue talks despite the face-to-face meetings, while the country’s delegations based in Geneva should have the autonomy to reach agreements, especially on vaccines.
Tai recently told reporters that the WTO, which was set up to regulate and facilitate international trade, cannot return to its status quo and remain relevant in a rapidly changing global economy. New vision and energy is needed.
