World Trade and Tech Day to explore policies to make AI work for inclusive trade

The WTO will host the first World Trade and Tech Day on 14 September at its headquarters in Geneva, bringing together trade and information and communications technology (ICT) policymakers, industry leaders and other stakeholders to discuss how artificial intelligence (AI) strategies can better support economies' efforts to maximize the gains of international trade.

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Uzbekistan reaffirms 2026 WTO accession goal, thanks members for continuing engagement

Uzbekistan reaffirmed its determination to complete its WTO accession process within 2026 at a meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of Uzbekistan on 27 and 28 July, soon after its last meeting in March. The head of Uzbekistan's delegation, Chief Negotiator Azizbek Urunov, stressed that maintaining a strong pace of engagement and addressing members' remaining concerns will be critical to bringing the accession process to a successful conclusion.

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Global goods trade resilient in the first quarter of 2026 despite war in Midde East

World merchandise trade growth exceeded expectations in the first quarter of 2026 as surging trade in electronic components related to artificial intelligence (AI) offset the negative impact of the conflict in the Middle East, which began in the final month of the quarter. Trade disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz are expected to be more fully captured in trade data for the next quarter.

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Brazil initiates dispute regarding additional duties imposed by the United States

Brazil has requested WTO dispute consultations with the United States regarding additional US duties on products originating in Brazil as a result of two investigations by the United States under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974. Brazil said the additional duties are above the duties otherwise applicable under the US harmonized tariff schedule. The request was circulated to WTO members on 30 July.

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Lithuania gives EUR 30,000 to help developing economies and LDCs improve trade skillset

Lithuania is contributing EUR 30,000 (approximately CHF 28,000) in 2026 to finance training programmes for government officials from developing economies, including least-developed countries (LDCs). This contribution to the WTO Global Trust Fund will support these economies in deepening their expertise on WTO issues and help them participate more effectively in the rules-based multilateral trading system.

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WTO panel issues report regarding Turkish measures on EVs and other types of vehicles

On 28 July, the WTO circulated the panel report in the case brought by China in

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Members review notifications, pandemic preparedness, biodiversity and IP office cooperation

At a meeting of the Council for Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) on 22-23 July, members discussed notifications of intellectual property legislation, pandemic preparedness, technology transfer, the relationship between the TRIPS Agreement and the Convention on Biological Diversity , and cooperation among IP offices. The meeting, chaired by Ambassador Alaa Hegazy (Egypt), also featured updates on technical cooperation and on a side event on genetic resources held the previous day. Members exchanged views and shared practical experiences from a recent workshop on technology transfer and cooperation initiatives.

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Russia requests dispute panel on EU carbon border adjustment and emissions trading scheme

At a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 24 July, members considered a request from the Russian Federation for the establishment of a dispute panel to review the European Union's

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WTO Blog | Why is transit in goods free but trade is not?

In my previous two posts on the value of the WTO, I argued that when governments set trade policies independently, they focus on domestic effects but often overlook the costs imposed on trading partners. International trade agreements help governments take account of these cross-border spillovers (terms-of-trade externalities) by encouraging reciprocal negotiations over trade policy. While these negotiations will reduce trade protection, they will not necessarily lead to free trade. But if governments do not generally commit themselves to free trade, why has freedom of transit for goods been seen differently?

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Updated WTO-IMF TPA Index shows continued rise in global trade policy activity

A new Trade Policy Activity (TPA) index by WTO and IMF economists shows a marked rise in trade policy activity during 2025-26, alongside heightened trade policy tensions among large economies, against the backdrop of an overall upward trend.

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Trade Policy Review: India

The Eighth review of the trade policies and practices of India takes place on 21 and 23 July 2026. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of India.

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United States launches safeguard investigation on lamb meat

On 17 July 2026, the United States notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 13 July 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of lamb meat.

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Members agree on 2026 chairpersons for subsidiary bodies of Goods Council

WTO members reached consensus on 16 July on a slate of names of the chairpersons for 13 subsidiary bodies that report to the Council for Trade in Goods.

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WTO Blog | The value of the WTO: An economic viewpoint in six instalments Part II: Why MFN matters

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TBT Committee reviews emerging technology standards, adopts improved notification formats

At its meeting on 7-10 July, the Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee tackled a broad agenda, including standards for critical and emerging technologies, climate-resilient buildings and lithium-ion batteries. The Committee also adopted improvements to transparency procedures and related digital tools and reviewed 70 specific trade concerns raised by members.

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WTO Blog | The value of the WTO: An economic viewpoint in six instalments

Part II: Why MFN matters

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DG Okonjo-Iweala calls for simultaneous progress on WTO reform, outstanding negotiations

Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala called on WTO members to make simultaneous progress on reforming the organization as well as on outstanding negotiating topics, urging delegations to collectively advance the two sides of the same coin. She made her remarks at a 14-15 July General Council meeting where she reviewed work undertaken since the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in late March and where members adopted several decisions in favour of developing and least-developed country members.

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South Africa notifies launch of safeguard investigation on certain cold-rolled products of iron and steel

On 14 July 2026, South Africa notified the WTO's Committee on Safeguards regarding the initiation on 10 July 2026 of a safeguard investigation on certain cold-rolled products of iron and steel imported into the Southern African Customs Union (SACU).

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Bhutan resumes negotiations to join the WTO after 18-year hiatus

At the 5th meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of Bhutan held on 9 July, WTO members welcomed the country back to the negotiating table after 18 years. Bhutan reaffirmed its strong commitment to joining the WTO, while highlighting the positive economic developments achieved since 2008.

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Bhutan resumes negotiations to join the WTO after 18-year hiatus

At the 5th meeting of the Working Party on the Accession of Bhutan held on 9 July, WTO members welcomed the country back to the negotiating table after 18 years. Bhutan reaffirmed its strong commitment to joining the WTO, while highlighting the positive economic developments achieved since 2008.

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WTO members explore path forward on agricultural negotiations

WTO members shared their views on the state of agricultural negotiations and discussed how best to move talks forward on 9 July at the WTO Committee on Agriculture in Special Session in Geneva. It was the first meeting of the WTO's agricultural negotiating body since the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon earlier this year, at which WTO members were unable to reach a consensus outcome on agriculture.

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LDC trade, partnerships, trade for development initiatives explored in Development Week

During Development Week, held at the WTO from 6 to 9 July, members examined opportunities for least-developed countries (LDCs) in services trade, partnerships for trade capacity-building, progress under the Work Programme on Small Economies, and new proposals on economic growth, industrialization and support for developing economies.

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WTO Blog | Data Blog - Fertilizer trade impacted by Strait of Hormuz conflict

Trade in urea and phosphate fertilizers has been severely disrupted by the conflict in the Persian Gulf, according to data analysed by the WTO Secretariat. Certain economies in Africa and Asia are particularly vulnerable to resulting fertilizer shortages and price hikes. Opening of the Strait of Hormuz - a key channel for fertilizer trade - will in due course contribute to easing trade frictions and restore stability to global markets.

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Members review MC14 outcomes, discuss energy crisis responses amid Middle East conflict

At a meeting on 7 July, WTO members participating in the Fossil Fuel Subsidy Reform (FFSR) initiative reviewed outcomes from the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon and highlighted progress across key work areas since MC13. Members also examined global policy responses to energy market disruptions stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, focusing on lessons from crisis-support measures and approaches to promote the energy transition in the longer-term.

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IFD Agreement participants discuss post-MC14 workplan and possible next steps

At a meeting on 6 July, the Co-Coordinators of the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement - Ambassador Marta Bonet of Chile and Ambassador Sung-yo Choi of the Republic of Korea - proposed a draft workplan aimed at guiding the next steps following the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14). Members participating in the IFD Agreement reaffirmed their objective of incorporating the Agreement into the WTO rulebook, discussed possible ways to advance its implementation, and reviewed progress on needs assessments for developing and least-developed economies.

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