US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has signalled a reduced role for the World Trade Organization (WTO) after reform talks in Yaoundé, Cameroon, ended without agreement.
Following four days of negotiations, discussions on modernising global trade rules—covering subsidies, digital trade, and investment—collapsed amid divisions over ecommerce tariffs.
Greer said the outcome reinforced his scepticism about the WTO’s relevance, citing limited progress and low ministerial attendance.
“I have always been skeptical of the value of the WTO, and this week’s conference confirmed that this organization will play only a limited role in future global trade policy efforts,” Greer said in a statement, adding that he was “disappointed at the lack of seriousness of many members”.
“If the WTO cannot achieve this commonsense aim, the United States will work outside of the WTO with all interested partners to get it done,” Greer said.
Key developments:
• The US proposal to extend the ecommerce tariff moratorium was blocked by Brazil.
• No consensus reached on a broader WTO reform framework.
• The US plans a plurilateral agreement with like-minded countries on digital trade.
• Concerns persist over WTO relevance amid global trade tensions and policy fragmentation.
The outcome underscores ongoing challenges facing multilateral trade governance and efforts to adapt the WTO to a changing global economy.
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