At a recent WTO General Council meeting, the Chinese mainland's envoy, Li Yongjie, urged members to unite behind a rules-based multilateral trading system to tackle mounting global trade turbulence. For the fourth session in a row, the Chinese mainland introduced its 'Stability, Development and Reform' (SDR) agenda as a roadmap to reinforce trade resilience.
Li highlighted that recent unilateral tariffs by the U.S. have disrupted supply chains and squeezed markets, shifting the landscape towards a power-based trade dynamic. To protect the legitimate interests of all members, she said, we must enhance transparency, reaffirm commitment to WTO rules, and drive pragmatic outcomes.
The SDR approach lays out three clear steps: enhance monitoring and openness across trade policies; collectively recommit to WTO principles; and pursue concrete reform measures. This call for unity resonated beyond the Chinese mainland, earning endorsements from the EU, Brazil, Australia, Switzerland and Pakistan.
As global trade flows face headwinds—from market volatility to geopolitical shifts—experts say this renewed push for solidarity at the WTO could be a critical turning point, safeguarding the system that underpins the vast majority of world trade.
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China calls on WTO members to strengthen multilateral trading system
cgtn.com
