China, India defend ‘special and differential treatment’ at the WTO

In a lengthy communication made public on Monday, China, India, South Africa and Venezuela defended the World Trade Organization practice of allowing members to self-designate as “developing” and accused the U.S. of being “profoundly disingenuous” in its recent criticisms. Developing status confers “special and differential treatment” to members implementing WTO commitments -- and such flexibilities, the communication states, are important for developing countries to ensure their continued growth. All four countries have identified themselves as developing. The U.S. has expressed...