WTO members welcome IP waiver text, but punt on more substantive talks

Friday marked the first time World Trade Organization members could voice their reactions to a newly released compromise proposal for a waiver of some WTO intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines, but while they largely welcomed the momentum sparked by the new text, most said they would outline their views at a later date following further domestic consultations. The proposal was put forward on Tuesday by WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala following high-level negotiations among four key members: The U.S., the...