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WTO Reforms Progressing, But Trump’s Views Face Resistance

12/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Countries are making progress on World Trade Organization reforms but are unlikely to reach a final deal by the March 2026 meeting.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with consensus rule and urged reforms to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) principle, calling it outdated.
Yet this view is not widely supported among WTO members.
Since the United States imposed higher tariffs, trade under MFN terms has fallen from 80% to 72%.

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Story summary

Countries are making progress on World Trade Organization reforms but are unlikely to reach a final deal by the March 2026 meeting.
U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with consensus rule and urged reforms to Most Favoured Nation (MFN) principle, calling it outdated.
Yet this view is not widely supported among WTO members.
Since the United States imposed higher tariffs, trade under MFN terms has fallen from 80% to 72%.