Big Boost For Global Fight Against COVID: US Announces Support To India-Led Proposal At WTO To Waive IP Protections For Vaccines
by Swarajya Staff - May 6, 2021 02:37 AM
President Biden addressing the joint session of US Congress (Representative image) (Pic Via Twitter)
In a big boost for global fight against Coronavirus pandemic, the United States has announced its support to a proposal by India and South Africa at World Trade Organisation (WTO) to temporarily waiver intellectual property protections for Covid-19 vaccines.
United States Trade Representative (USTR) Katherine Tai on Wednesday (5 May) released a statement announcing the Biden-Harris Administrationâs support for waiving intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines.
Swiss not swayed by US vaccine waiver announcement
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, at the WTO on April 28 last. 2021 Getty Images
Switzerland has reacted cautiously to the US decision to back a suspension of patents on Covid-19 vaccines, saying a waiver is not the best way to achieve better global supply.
This content was published on May 6, 2021 - 18:52
May 6, 2021 - 18:52
Jessica Davis Plüss
Jessica covers the good, the bad, and the ugly when it comes to big global companies and their impact in Switzerland and abroad. She’s always looking for a Swiss connection with her native San Francisco and will happily discuss why her hometown has produced some of the greatest innovations but can’t seem to solve its housing crisis.
Thursday, May 6, 2021
Trade officials in the United States (US) focused this week on increasing global access to COVID-19 vaccines, while the European Union (EU) moved forward with legal action against AstraZeneca. With COVID-19 mutants contributing to the significantly increased infections in India, the US imposed travel restrictions on individuals traveling from that country, effective Tuesday, 4 May, at 12:01 EDT.
The United Kingdom (UK) hosted the Group of Seven (G7) Digital and Technology Ministerial this week. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken will participate in the G7 Foreign and Development Ministers Meeting early next week in London, before travelling next to Ukraine (5-6 May) to “reaffirm unwavering U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression.” The US Government will also focus on overseas digital services tax proposals next week. Meanwhile, the UK unveiled its new Global Ant
OTTAWA The federal government is edging closer to waiving intellectual property rights on COVID-19 vaccines, as it faces increased pressure from members of Parliament of all party stripes. Fielding questions about why Canada hasn’t already agreed to support lifting the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) agreement, as the U.S. announced on Wednesday, International Trade Minister Mary Ng said Canada would engage in these discussions. “Canada will actively participate in negotiations to waive intellectual property protection, particular to COVID-19 vaccines, under the WTO TRIPS agreement…we have been a leader in the global effort to ensure there is equitable access to successful vaccine,” she said in the House of Commons on Thursday.