HE James Baxter PSM is the Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO Australian Permanent Mission, Geneva.
James Baxter took up his role as Ambassador and Permanent Representative, Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO, Geneva, in April 2024. Prior to taking up his current role, he served as First Assistant Secretary in the Office of Global Trade Negotiations (OTN), in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In this role he was responsible for advising on policy on multilateral trade.
He has also served in a range of roles in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including in the Regional Trade Agreements Division as First Assistant Secretary (2019- 2020) and Special Negotiator (2017-2018); as Assistant Secretary in the World Trade Organization Trade Policy and Services Branch (2016-2017); Deputy Chief Negotiator in the China Free Trade Taskforce (2008- 2009); and Director, WTO Quarantine Disputes Section, OTN (2007-2008).
Overseas, he has served as Deputy Permanent Representative, Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO, Geneva (2012-2016); Counsellor, Australian Embassy, Brussels (2004-2007); First Secretary, Australian Embassy, Tokyo (1998-2002).
Mr Baxter holds a Bachelor of Laws (1990) and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (1988) from the University of Sydney.