WTO Reform Essential for Stable Global Trade

The WTO provides predictable trade rules that Swedish businesses rely on daily. The Ministerial Conference in Yaoundé offers a key opportunity for members to agree on a concrete roadmap for reform, writes Ingrid Serup, trade policy advisor.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) plays a crucial role for Swedish business by providing stable and predictable rules for international trade. The WTO rulebook applies to all 166 members and is used on a daily basis by companies. At the same time, the WTO is in an urgent need of reform.

The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise consider it important that WTO members agree on a concrete roadmap for reform at the WTO Ministerial Conference taking place 26 to 29 March in Yaoundé, Cameroon. The reform roadmap should address issues related to decision‑making, the dispute settlement system, and special and differential treatment (S&DT).

We also support an extension – and preferably a permanent adoption – of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.