World Trade Organisation (WTO) director general Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called for strong partnerships to meet the objectives of the third phase of the Enhanced Integrated Framework (EIF) launched yesterday.

EIF is a mechanism aimed at leveraging and coordinating support for trade and investment priorities in least-developed countries (LDCs).

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called for stronger partnerships to achieve the objectives of the Enhanced Integrated Framework’s (EIF) third phase, launched yesterday in Yaounde.
It aims to coordinate support for trade and investment priorities in LDCs.
The latest six-year phase has also secured fresh contribution pledges from Germany, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.

The new phase was launched at a side event to the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaounde, Cameroon, co-organised by Cambodia, the United Arab Emirates and the EIF executive secretariat.

The third phase of the EIF introduces a shift from stand-alone projects to multi-year country programming. It is designed to help LDCs better integrate into the global trading system while addressing structural vulnerabilities and seizing new opportunities in areas such as digital trade, services, green value chains and regional integration.

The latest six-year phase also received new contribution pledges from Germany ($1.964 million), Liechtenstein (~$63,139), Norway ($4.15 million), Switzerland ($3.16 million) and the United Kingdom ($6.67 million).

“This third phase of the EIF comes at a defining moment for the LDCs and recently graduated countries. Familiar structural vulnerabilities are being compounded by a disrupted global trading system, power politics, debt pressures, climate change, and global economic uncertainty. At the same time, the current global context offers some important opportunities for LDCs to use trade to drive growth, development, and job creation,” Okonjo-Iweala said in a release issued by the WTO.

The DG also emphasised the need to scale up support and partnerships to match the ambition of the new phase.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) released the final conclusions of its investigation into Mexico’s restrictive trade measures, determining that they constitute trade and investment barriers against China.

The probe, initiated on September 25, 2025, was conducted under China’s Foreign Trade Law and the country’s regulations on foreign trade barrier investigations.

China’s Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) has concluded that Mexico’s tariff hikes and other restrictive measures on non-FTA partners constitute trade and investment barriers against China.
The probe, launched on September 25, 2025, found the policies limited market access and hurt Chinese firms, with Beijing authorised to take countermeasures to protect domestic industries.

MOFCOM found that Mexico’s decision to raise import tariffs on products from countries without free trade agreements, including China, as well as other restrictive policies, had limited market access for Chinese goods, services and investment.

The ministry stated that these measures had “restricted and impeded the entry of Chinese products, services and investment into the Mexican market,” thereby weakening the competitiveness of Chinese enterprises.

According to the ministry’s spokesperson, the findings confirm that Mexico’s policies constitute trade and investment barriers under Chinese law. The MOFCOM is authorised to take corresponding measures to safeguard the legitimate interests of Chinese industries.

The investigation forms part of China’s broader response to tariff hikes imposed by Mexico on non-FTA partners, which Beijing has repeatedly criticised as protectionist and detrimental to bilateral economic ties.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (JP)

Australian wool prices declined this week, with the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) dropping 27 cents to close at 1,724 c/kg, as buyer caution and rising logistics costs weighed on the market. In US dollar terms, the EMI fell 43 cents to 1,202 c/kg due to currency movements, although it remains 38.5 per cent higher in AUD and 53.1 per cent higher higher in USD year-on-year.

“The price weakness was most evident in the 18.5–21 micron Merino fleece range, particularly in Southern and Western regions, where declines of 40–60 cents were recorded. Crossbred wool prices also eased, while the Northern market showed some firmness in 20–21 microns,” said Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) in its week 39 commentary.

Australian wool prices declined this week, with the Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) falling 27 cents to 1,724 c/kg amid buyer caution and rising logistics costs.
Weakness was led by Merino fleece, while crossbreds also eased.
Strong auction volumes and increased supply reduced competition, signalling a pause after sustained price gains.

Market sentiment was impacted by increased supply, with offerings nearing 40,000 bales. Pass-in rates stood at 9 per cent nationally and over 13 per cent in the West, signalling growing seller resistance. Despite lower annual production, supply levels remain elevated, partly supported by broker and farm-held stocks, the AWI commentary noted.

Rising freight costs linked to Middle East tensions and sustained supply are expected to test market stability. Around 37,815 bales are scheduled for sale next week, the AWI commentary added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (CG)