Story perspectives

WTO Faces Collapse Without Reforms, Leaders Warn

3/28/2026

Summary

Story summary

The World Trade Organization risks a disorderly collapse if reforms are not agreed at the 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaounde, Cameroon, warns Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer criticizes the WTO framework and backs smaller group agreements over consensus-based decisions.
China defends the most-favoured nation principle as essential for trade stability.
UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant warns that fragmentation could arise if no consensus is reached.

History

Historical Context

The Doha Development Round, launched by the WTO in November 2001, aimed to lower global trade barriers and prioritize developing countries' needs. However, negotiations stalled due to disagreements over agricultural subsidies, particularly between the U.S. and the EU. As of today, the WTO faces significant challenges, with many fearing its collapse amid increasing fragmentation of trade agreements and unresolved tensions between major economies like the U.S. and China.

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Story summary

The World Trade Organization risks a disorderly collapse if reforms are not agreed at the 14th Ministerial Conference in Yaounde, Cameroon, warns Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala.
United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer criticizes the WTO framework and backs smaller group agreements over consensus-based decisions.
China defends the most-favoured nation principle as essential for trade stability.
UK Trade Minister Chris Bryant warns that fragmentation could arise if no consensus is reached.

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