US Becomes First Major Fishing Nation To Ratify Subsidies Deal: WTO Chief

"GENEVA - The United States has become the first major fishing nation to ratify a deal to cut subsidies contributing to overfishing, the World Trade Organization chief said on Wednesday.

The trade watchdog's 164 members reached the deal, which aims to cut billions of dollars in harmful subsidies that are emptying the ocean of marine life, last year.

But it needs two-thirds of the members to sign on to take effect and only a handful of smaller countries have accepted it so far. The United States ratified it on Tuesday, WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala wrote on Twitter."

Emma Farge reports for Reuters April 12, 2023.