WTO in spotlight as talks stall on digital trade, e-commerce, and global reform. Established 1995 to regulate cross-border trade.
The WTO's 14th ministerial in Yaounde has failed to reach agreements on key reforms, including digital trade and agricultural subsidies. Major players like the US, India, EU, and China remain divided, risking the organization's future amid global economic instability and rising protectionism.
During a WTO meeting in Cameroon, China and the US discussed the importance of trade relations, emphasizing cooperation and mutual benefits. China expressed concern over US investigations into forced labor, highlighting ongoing tensions in trade policies.
WTO ministers in Cameroon are close to agreeing on a four-year extension of the e-commerce moratorium, delaying digital tariffs. The talks also aim to reform the organization, but disagreements, especially from the US and Brazil, threaten progress. The extension is crucial for global digital trade stability.
A coalition of Europe’s largest economies has urged the European Commission to expand and sharpen EU trade defenses. The signatories want more frequent use of safeguard investigations, quicker WTO referrals, and a new resilience tool to protect strategic sectors and value chains. They also advocate allowing anti-subsidy duties to be applied directly to companies.
The United States has proposed tariffs of up to 12.5% on imports from about 59–60 countries, citing failures to curb goods made with forced labour. The EU has negotiated a digital trade deal with South Korea and is preparing new industrial measures to reduce single‑supplier dependence. China has tightened controls on outbound investment and is hosting a steady stream of foreign leaders.
The US‑Israel war on Iran has pushed energy, fertilizer and transport costs higher and forced global agencies to cut growth forecasts. The OECD and other groups have reduced 2026 growth projections, UNICEF has reported soaring freight bills and delivery delays, and US consumer sentiment has ticked up slightly as gas prices ease (15 June 2026).
Australia says a new US tariff hike on imports is not linked to its anti-slavery laws, with ministers stressing Australia has mechanisms to tackle modern slavery. The plan, unveiled under a Section 301 investigation, targets 60 countries and could run alongside existing duties during a transition period.
Protests ahead of the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains intensify, with police deploying in Geneva and Evian. Demonstrators oppose the gathering as a symbol of wealth and inequality, while authorities warn of security measures amid potential unrest.
China has not softened its export push despite sanctions; it is redirecting volumes to Europe and Asia, expanding a record trade surplus and intensifying concerns of a new wave of China Shock. European leaders are weighing higher tariffs and policy tools to counter overproduction.