U.S. proposes categories to prevent WTO self-designation as developing

The United States on Friday proposed four criteria to determine whether a World Trade Organization member could access special and differential treatment, setting up specific parameters for which countries can claim developing status and restricting the practice of self-designation. Any WTO member can claim “developing” country status, which confers “special and differential” treatment in implementing WTO agreements and obligations. The U.S. has long criticized this practice, including in a 45-page WTO communication last month , arguing that economies that have...