BRASILIA (Reuters) - Senators John McCain and John Barrasso said on Monday the extension of U.S. ethanol subsidies and a tariff on imports is likely illegal under international trade rules, lending some support to Brazil's opposition to U.S. ethanol policy.

GENEVA: India has refused to play ball with the US and other developed countries on a controversial proposal for opening up developing markets to remanufactured goods under the Doha trade talks, apprehending this will lead to dumping of sub-standard goods. In a proposal issued to World Trade Organisation members on Tuesday, India maintained that it is "gravely concerned on various aspects of the revised text..."

Russia's WTO accession is edging closer after the EU backed its bid in 2010. After a 17 year accession process economists say membership will be beneficial overall, but that some sectors will face tougher competition. To secure the EU’s backing, Russia lowered export tariffs on timber and rail freight fees. If negotiators settle limits for state support of agriculture and agree on meat and poultry quotas, 2011 is expected to see Russian accession to the global trade body.

BRUSSELS (BNO NEWS) -- The European Union on Tuesday signed a bilateral agreement for Serbia's accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO), officials said.

Leading financial experts have warned domestic banks that they could suffer market losses this year as Viet Nam's commitments with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on the operation of foreign banks comes into effect. Foreign banks, which have become stronger in recent years, will now be operating on a level playing field with domestic banks.

Damascus, (SANA)_ Syria's Ministry of Economy and Trade in cooperation with the concerned parties continue procedures for accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO).

WASHINGTON: The US law slapping a hefty visa fee hike on Indian companies may be in violation of the WTO's General Agreement on Trade in Services, according to a legal analysis. The US law slapping a hefty visa fee hike on Indian companies may be in violation of the World Trade Organisation's General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), according to a legal analysis conducted by the National Foundation for American Policy, a Virginia based think tank.

Vietnam cut the import quota of sugar in 2011 to 250,000 tons, down 50,000 tons from 2010, according to the Circular 45/2010/TT-BCT of the Ministry of Industry and Trade(MoIT). The ministry allowed local firms to import 150,000 tons of refined and crude sugar input to manufacture; 50,000 tons of crude sugar for sugar factories and 50,000 tons of refined sugar for traders.

Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma has said India will not “rush to” the World Trade Organization (WTO) over the “regressive” steps taken by the US recently, which include an increase in the visa fee and a special levy on foreign manufacturers.

COLONIA, Uruguay: La Paz urged Seoul Wednesday to reopen its market to Uruguayan beef, and agreed to back South Korea's bid to negotiate a free trade deal with its Mercosur trade bloc partners.The request came during a visit by South Korean Prime Minister Kim Hwang-sik, who did not address the media.Uruguayan authorities are keen to end the South Korean ban on beef from the South American nation imposed in 2001 after a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.