The Washington Post reported that a brawl occurred among lawmakers on the legislative floor in Taipei, Taiwan on July 8, 2010 as discussion began on a preferential trade agreement, the Economic Cooperation Framework Agreement (ECFA) planned with China.
The World Trade Organization has updated its program of meetings for 2010.
In the July 9, 2010 edition of the Official Journal of the European Union, the following trade-related notices were posted:
The World Trade Organization has posted an article describing the "water footprint" associated with footwear, which is a measure of the consumption and pollution of water through the footwear manufacturing process.
At the World Trade Organization's July 5, 2010 meeting of the Council for Trade in Goods, the European Union expressed concern over an Argentine measure it says restricts food imports. The EU said that since May, there have been long delays in the granting of certificates that would enable the release of EU food imports from Argentina's ports, and that there has also been a trade-chilling effect in the form of cancellation of long-standing orders to the EU.
The World Trade Organization has issued its Trade Policy Review for Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei). According to the review, an outward-oriented development strategy has brought rapid growth and prosperity, transforming it into a modern industrial economy and a leading exporter of information technology (IT) products. However, to strengthen its competitiveness and attract inbound direct investment, Chinese Taipei needs to undertake further structural reforms in order to improve the economy's flexibility in responding to domestic and international challenges, including the improvement of cross-strait economic relations, removal of remaining informal barriers to investment, and adoption of international best practices.
Xinhuanet.com states that ten years after it unveiled a strategy to promote growth in its western area, China announced a plan to continue the initiative. The move to further develop the West came as the government took steps such as subsidizing auto and home appliance buyers, to boost domestic demand and lessen reliance on exports.
In the July 8, 2010 edition of the Official Journal of the European Union, the following trade-related notices were posted:
The European Commission has taken the first step towards a comprehensive European international investment policy with two initiatives: (i) a policy paper laying out how the new EU competence on foreign direct investment can be used to boost competitiveness and trade resulting in growth and jobs; and (ii) a draft regulation that would set up transitional arrangements offering guarantees on existing or pending bilateral investment treaties concluded between EU and Non-EU countries.
On July 7, 2010, the European Parliament adopted a resolution endorsing a June decision by European Union leaders to open membership talks with Iceland, which has been seeking membership since July 2009. However, Parliament asked that Iceland cease all whaling and bilaterally resolve its repayments to the British and Dutch governments following the collapse of its banks.