World trade is set to slow in 2026 following stronger than expected growth in 2025 on the back of surging trade in AI-enabling products. WTO economists warn that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could further reduce trade growth if energy prices remain elevated, noting that it would also (...)
A WTO arbitrator was tasked on 19 March with determining the level of trade suspension Indonesia may impose on the European Union in the palm oil biofuels dispute, following Indonesia’s request to suspend concessions worth US$ 2.8–5.6 billion annually. At the same meeting, the Dispute Settlement (...)
On 19 March, ahead of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, 79 WTO members participating in the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD) unveiled a package of outcome documents showcasing progress achieved over the past five years and highlighting the (...)
On 18 March 2026, Canada notified the WTO’s Committee on Safeguards that it had initiated on 16 March 2026 a safeguard investigation on imports of certain vegetable goods.
The WTO's Committee on Market Access (CMA) agreed at its 16-17 March meeting on procedures to improve how the resolution of trade concerns are recorded in the Committee. Thirty-three trade concerns were raised at the two-day meeting, of which seven were raised for the first time. The Committee (...)
The WTO is inviting applications for the 2026 Young Trade Leaders Programme, an initiative aimed at fostering a better understanding of the WTO's work and international trade among young people and creating a network of Young Trade Leaders around the (...)
A ceremony held at the WTO headquarters on 12 March marked the launch of the 2026 edition of two WTO technical assistance programmes, the French Irish Mission Programme (FIMiP) and the Netherlands Talent Programme (NTP). Welcoming participants, Deputy Director-General Xiangchen Zhang (...)
Meeting on 11-13 March, the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures reviewed 76 SPS-related trade concerns raised by WTO members, a record for the committee. Earlier in the week, the Committee's Transparency Working Group met to consider possible improvements to notifications in (...)
A high-level event marking the launch of the Enhanced Integrated Framework’s (EIF) third phase of activities will take place on the margins of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on 25 March. The EIF’s work is dedicated to harnessing trade and investment for prosperity (...)
At a meeting held on 26 February, the Committee on Trade and Environment (CTE) took stock of progress in various formats to galvanize work on the trade-and-environment nexus, with particular emphasis on trade and climate measures. They also considered next steps, including enhancing (...)