World Trade Organization
@wto.org
Making trade work for everyone.
Follow also: @NOIweala.bsky.social
This is the official account of the WTO.
www.wto.org
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an intergovernmental organization that regulates and facilitates international trade. Established on 1 January 1995, pursuant to the 1994 Marrakesh Agreement, it succeeded the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which was created in 1948. As the world's largest international economic organization, the WTO has 166 members, representing over 98% of global trade and global GDP. It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. .. more
Political science
39%
Business
27%
WTO and IMF economists develop new indicator to measure global trade policy dynamics
Research in developing a new Trade Policy Activity (TPA) index by a group of WTO and IMF economists reveals a marked pick-up in trade policy activity from around 2019-2020, reflecting increased interventions in trade for a range of policy objectives. The change also corresponds to the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened trade policy tensions among large economies, and rising geopolitical risks. Future development of the indicator can fill an important information gap by providing policymakers with an early alert of possible policy shifts.
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WTO and IMF economists develop new indicator to measure global trade policy dynamics
WTO issues compliance ruling regarding Colombian duties on frozen fries
On 23 October, the WTO circulated the compliance panel report in the case brought by the European Union in Colombia - Anti-Dumping Duties on Frozen Fries from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands (DS591).
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WTO issues compliance ruling regarding Colombian duties on frozen fries #TradeDisputes
China initiates dispute regarding Indian measures on batteries, auto parts and e-vehicles
China has requested WTO dispute consultations with India regarding certain Indian measures in the automotive and renewable energy sectors. China said the measures in question include incentives to promote the production of advanced chemistry cell batteries, automobile and auto components, and electric vehicles in India. The request was circulated to WTO members on 20 October 2025.
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China initiates dispute regarding Indian measures on batteries, auto parts and e-vehicles #TradeDisputes
WTO members discuss ways to facilitate trade amid diverse carbon-emission measures
WTO members gathered in Geneva on 16 October for the first interactive sessions of the Committee on Trade and Environment, focusing on how best to facilitate trade while navigating diverse carbon emissions-measurement methodologies. The interactive sessions provided members with a platform for open dialogue and the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the linkages between specific environmental measures and trade.
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WTO members discuss ways to facilitate trade amid diverse carbon-emission measures
Geneva Peace Week event spotlights role of trade in promoting dialogue, peacebuilding
The WTO and Interpeace held an event on 16 October bringing together representatives from Liberia, Mozambique and Oman to discuss how trade, when shaped by inclusive policies and dialogue, can strengthen peacebuilding, foster resilience and promote cooperation in fragile and conflict-affected states. The session, titled <em></em>Anchoring Peace in Trade: Member-Driven Pathways for Economic Cooperation and Stability<em></em>, took place at the WTO during the 2025 Geneva Peace Week.
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Geneva Peace Week event spotlights role of trade in promoting dialogue, peacebuilding #WTOaccessions
Happy #WorldFoodDay! In this month's "News Harvest":
▶️Food, ag trade grows 7%, amid dim 2026 outlook
▶️DG @noiweala.bsky.social: disruptions are call to "reimagine trade"
▶️Uncertainty: ag negotiators in "pragmatic" mood
Read: bit.ly/48zsUBa
Subscribe: bit.ly/3QG7K9A
#WTOAg
▶️Food, ag trade grows 7%, amid dim 2026 outlook
▶️DG @noiweala.bsky.social: disruptions are call to "reimagine trade"
▶️Uncertainty: ag negotiators in "pragmatic" mood
Read: bit.ly/48zsUBa
Subscribe: bit.ly/3QG7K9A
#WTOAg
WTO launches new Monthly Merchandise Trade Statistics interactive tool
The new WTO Monthly Merchandise Trade Statistics interactive tool provides access to bilateral trade data for over 120 economies and more than 200 of their trading partners across 72 product categories. The tool, contained in the WTO's Tariff and Trade Data portal, is updated weekly and draws on statistics from Trade Data Monitor (TDM), which sources trade data from government offices and agencies across the world.
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WTO launches new Monthly Merchandise Trade Statistics interactive tool #WTOStats#GlobalTrade
Improving transparency focus of discussions at import licensing committee meeting
At a meeting of the Committee on Import Licensing on 10 October, the Chair reported on his efforts to work with members on improving transparency in licensing notification procedures. The Committee also reviewed 11 specific trade concerns raised by members, a very high number for a Committee meeting.
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Improving transparency focus of discussions at import licensing committee meeting
Plastics Dialogue discusses MC14 drafts, highlights development-focused matchmaking event
Members participating in the Dialogue on Plastics Pollution and Environmentally Sustainable Plastics Trade (DPP) on 10 October reviewed progress on key issues. They also spotlighted a
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Plastics Dialogue discusses MC14 drafts, highlights development-focused matchmaking event
Jordan joins WTO-ITC WEIDE Fund programme with call for women entrepreneurs
Women-led businesses in Jordan can now apply for grants and technical support through the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund. The initiative, jointly funded and managed by the World Trade Organization (WTO) Secretariat and the International Trade Centre (ITC), aims to help women entrepreneurs strengthen their digital capabilities and expand into global markets.
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Jordan joins WTO-ITC WEIDE Fund programme with call for women entrepreneurs #Tradeforwomen
Trade and gender group discusses implementation of 2025-2026 Work Plan
Following exchanges on the 2025-2026 Work Plan for advancing gender equality in trade, members of the Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender (IWG) met on 8 October to review a proposed implementation roadmap. The document will guide the group's work in the coming months, including initiatives linked to the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference. IWG members also welcomed Ambassador James Baxter of Australia as the Group's new co-chair.
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Trade and gender group discusses implementation of 2025-2026 Work Plan #Tradeforwomen
DG Okonjo-Iweala: WTO
At a meeting of the WTO's General Council on 6-7 October, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala once again underlined the need for fundamental reform of the organization but also highlighted that the WTO
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DG Okonjo-Iweala: WTO “has important tools worth preserving” @NOIweala
AI goods and frontloading lift world trade in 2025 but outlook dims for 2026
Global merchandise trade outpaced expectations in the first half of 2025, driven by increased spending on AI-related products, a surge in North American imports ahead of tariff hikes, and strong trade among the rest of the world. In response, WTO economists raised the 2025 merchandise trade growth forecast to 2.4% (up from 0.9% in August). However, the 2026 projection has been lowered to 0.5% (from 1.8%). Global services exports growth is expected to slow from 6.8% in 2024 to 4.6% in 2025 and 4.4% in 2026.
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AI goods and frontloading lift world trade in 2025 but outlook dims for 2026 #WTOStats#GlobalTrade #WTOPublications #WTOStats
WTO members discuss professional qualification recognition and other services trade issues
The WTO Council for Trade in Services met on 2 and 3 October to discuss how to facilitate the recognition of professional qualifications to promote services trade and development. Members also considered the way forward for a proposal in support of least-developed countries and discussed various services trade concerns.
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WTO members discuss professional qualification recognition and other services trade issues #ServicesTrade
MSME Working Group reviews new trade initiatives, highlights exemplary businesses
The Informal Working Group on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) on 3 October reviewed recent initiatives in international fora aimed at empowering small businesses through trade and highlighted preparations for the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). Several small businesses were showcased and participants shared experiences on helping companies transition from the informal economy.
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MSME Working Group reviews new trade initiatives, highlights exemplary businesses #SME
World Trade Organization
@wto.org
· Oct 8
DG Okonjo-Iweala: WTO “has important tools worth preserving”
At a meeting of the WTO’s General Council on 6-7 October, Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala once again underlined the need for fundamental reform of the organization but also highlighted that the W...
www.wto.org
DG Okonjo-Iweala: WTO “has important tools worth preserving” www.wto.org/english/news...
World Trade Organization
@wto.org
· Oct 7
WTO members discuss professional qualification recognition and other services trade issues
The WTO Council for Trade in Services met on 2 and 3 October to discuss how to facilitate the recognition of professional qualifications to promote services trade and development. Members also considered the way forward for a proposal in support of least-developed countries and discussed various services trade concerns.
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WTO members discuss professional qualification recognition and other services trade issues #ServicesTrade
World Trade Organization
@wto.org
· Oct 7
MSME Working Group reviews new trade initiatives, highlights exemplary businesses
The Informal Working Group on Micro, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) on 3 October reviewed recent initiatives in international fora aimed at empowering small businesses through trade and highlighted preparations for the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). Several small businesses were showcased and participants shared experiences on helping companies transition from the informal economy.
dlvr.it
MSME Working Group reviews new trade initiatives, highlights exemplary businesses #SME
World Trade Organization
@wto.org
· Oct 7
AI goods and frontloading lift world trade in 2025 but outlook dims for 2026
Global merchandise trade outpaced expectations in the first half of 2025, driven by increased spending on AI-related products, a surge in North American imports ahead of tariff hikes, and strong trade among the rest of the world. In response, WTO economists raised the 2025 merchandise trade growth forecast to 2.4% (up from 0.9% in August). However, the 2026 projection has been lowered to 0.5% (from 1.8%). Global services exports growth is expected to slow from 6.8% in 2024 to 4.6% in 2025 and 4.4% in 2026.
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AI goods and frontloading lift world trade in 2025 but outlook dims for 2026 #WTOStats #GlobalTrade #WTOPublications
World Trade Organization
@wto.org
· Oct 6
WTO members share tools and insights to advance fossil fuel subsidy reform
WTO members participating in the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR) initiative met on 2 October to share experiences on fiscal tools and programmes for subsidy reform, as well as on fossil fuel subsidies provided to emissions-intensive sectors. They also reviewed work on rolling back crisis-related energy support measures and enhancing transparency of fossil fuel subsidies.
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WTO members share tools and insights to advance fossil fuel subsidy reform
World Trade Organization
@wto.org
· Oct 6
The General Council, the WTO’s highest decision-making body outside Ministerial Conferences, meets today. On the agenda: current trade issues, review of recent work, discussions on WTO reform, updates on activities by members.
Learn more about the GC: www.wto.org/english/thew...
Learn more about the GC: www.wto.org/english/thew...
Reposted by World Trade Organization
Thanks to the UK government, especially Minister H.E. Chris Bryant, DG Kate Joseph, Amb Kumar Iyer, DPR Rebecca Fisher Lamb and their team for some substantive and thought provoking discussions on WTO reform at @wiltonpark.bsky.social. (1/2)
World Trade Organization
@wto.org
· Oct 3
<!--WTH:INSERT_OGHEADLINE-->Committee reviews work on transparency, discusses AI, semiconductors, metrology in trade <!--/WTH:INSERT_OGHEADLINE-->
<!--WTH:INSERT_OGINTRO-->At a meeting on 2 October, the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) advanced preparations for thematic discussions on critical and emerging technologies, good regulatory practices and metrology in trade to be held in November. WTO members also considered further refining their notification processes and the way their TBT measures are tracked in the ePing platform<!--/WTH:INSERT_OGINTRO-->
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Committee reviews work on transparency, discusses AI, semiconductors, metrology in trade #WTOTBT