Calling for Russia to “reverse its decision to suspend the Black Sea Grain Initiative, end its unjustified war of aggression, and withdraw all of its forces from Ukraine”, United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai in her remarks at the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers’ Meeting in Jaipur said the topic of the meeting could not be be discussed properly without acknowledging the serious and continuing impact of Russia’s premeditated and unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine.
The USTR also said that a fundamental rethink is required of the dispute settlement system under the World Trade Organisation (WTO). “There is a new and constructive process taking place in Geneva that is designed to find a way to reform where previous efforts have failed. This requires a fundamental rethink of the dispute settlement system, for example to ensure that we end the practice of judicial rulemaking,” she said.
She said the global food price index has been rising over the last one month after Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea Grain deal. “One month ago, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which provided a lifeline for hundreds of millions worldwide facing hunger and spiraling food costs by enabling the delivery of 20 million tons of grain to lower and middle-income countries. The global food price index has seen a steady rise over the past month. Russia’s suspension of the Black Sea Grain Initiative now threatens the food security of the most vulnerable populations around the world.”
“We call on Russia to reverse its decision, to resume negotiations, and to extend, expand, and fully implement the Initiative immediately for the benefit of the millions of people who depend on Ukrainian grain. Beyond this action, Russia must end its unjustified war of aggression against Ukraine and withdraw all of its forces from Ukraine,” she said.