James Baxter
Ambassador, Australian Permanent Mission, World Trade Organization (WTO)
James Baxter was appointed Ambassador, Australian Permanent Mission to the WTO, Geneva, in September 2023.
Prior to taking up his current role, he served as First Assistant Secretary in the Office of Global Trade Negotiations (OTN), in Canberra.
He has also served 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, OTN (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 Head of Mission, 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.