Plus, the social media posts from Yaoundé did make it sound like the WTO Public Forum in a warm colourful country.

The most disappointing bit is about those #WTOreform sessions. Were they exchanges among ministers? No. Few bothered to attend. Talk of how seriously reform is needed is just hot air.

WTO | MC14 Calendar - 14th WTO Ministerial Conference

WTO ministers have a long evening ahead in Yaoundé, digesting 1½ days of break-out sessions on #WTOReform.

Tomorrow: topics for decision (mainly work plans)

09:30 Fisheries subsidies
10:30 Adding investment facilitation plurilateral to WTO rules
14:00 E-commerce
15:30 Agriculture
18:00 Development

Here a 5 min video giving the main reasons why the current #US and #EU proposals for so called “WTO reform” are a bad idea, and have to be rejected, in particular by smaller and weaker economies
youtu.be/um3oIYNHD8I?...
#WTO #MC14 #WTOreform

Treading water—what hopes for a ‘Reform Ministerial’ for the WTO? Part 2. WTO reform is the focus of the Yaoundé meeting. Ministers will discuss it and ought to leave with more than plans for more talking. But will they?

In Yaoundé #MC14, #WTOReform (cont): Ends with an open-ended plenary when the groups report back to the membership:

● 19:30… —transparency session

Continued from yesterday’s break-out groups, not identified as #WTOReform, but central to it:

● 15:00–18:00—Foundational issues, principles

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WTO | MC14 Calendar - 14th WTO Ministerial Conference

Today at the WTO Ministerial Conference, Yaoundé #MC14, #WTOReform day. Each minister spends the day in one of six break-out groups (up to 28 delegations in each) in 3 sessions:

● 10:00–12:00—Decision-making, past mandates
● 14:00–16:00—Development
● 16:30–18:30—Level playing field issues

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The important but forgotten issue in ‘WTO reform’: external transparency To regain public support, the WTO and its members must be less secretive

Keeping the public informed — with real information, not spin or promoting the institution or its individuals — is a vital component of #WTOreform. Without it, public support for the @wto.org and its evolution is at best hollow and at worst non-existent.

With @bobwolfe.bsky.social

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Screengrab of the top part of the opening page of the linked document

That said, one important aspect of #WTOreform has dropped by the wayside.

Australia 🇦🇺, Brazil 🇧🇷, Canada 🇨🇦, Colombia 🇨🇴, Costa Rica 🇨🇷, the EU 🇪🇺, New Zealand 🇳🇿, Norway 🇳🇴, Switzerland 🇨🇭, Taiwan 🇹🇼, UK 🇬🇧 should revive their 2023 proposal in the discussions on WTO reform

2/3 docs.wto.org/dol2fe/Pages...

Treading water—what hopes for a ‘Reform Ministerial’ for the WTO? Part 2. WTO reform is the focus of the Yaoundé meeting. Ministers will discuss it and ought to leave with more than plans for more talking. But will they?

COUNT-DOWN—2 days to the WTO’s Yaoundé Ministerial Conference #MC14

Even on #WTOreform ministers are not being asked to reach any agreement except on a post-conference work plan. Hopefully after 1½ days of talking they will be better placed to guide their officials.

With @bobwolfe.bsky.social

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Opinion: Abandon ‘most favoured nation’ at your peril - Borderlex - European trade policy The EU and United States are both calling for a review of the WTO’s ‘most favoured nation’ rule.

Abandon the WTO's foundational most-favoured nation #MFN principle? Seriously? 

John Clarke on why for the EU in particular doing so carries big risks.

#WTOCrisis #MC14 #WTOReform

At the last WTO General Council before #MC14, the EU 🇪🇺 stressed that Yaoundé must send a clear message: Members are ready to engage in a deep and comprehensive #WTOReform. The EU will do its utmost to help get us there.

We need a shared sense of purpose and urgency. Time is not on our side.

WTO ambassadors to review plan to keep reform talks alive - Borderlex - European trade policy WTO ambassadors will tomorrow review a proposal to continue deliberations about overhauling the world trade body beyond this month’s crucial ministerial meeting in Cameroon.

The battle to keep WTO reform talks alive is on this week in Geneva #MC14 #WTOReform #MFN

By @chrishorseman.bsky.social 

🌍 Curious about the key issues shaping the @wto.org #MC14? Our latest #Trade and #Sustainability breaks them down – from #WTOReform and #IndustrialPolicy to #ECommerce and climate-related trade measures.

🔗 Read it here: www.iisd.org/articles/dee...

Also available in French & Spanish!

Text: ‘facilitator’ Ølberg’s March 2026 report on WTO reform for Yaoundé The approach to reform talks is “determine if we need and how to”

#WTOReform latest. Mar 10-11: the final WTO General Council meeting before the Yaoundé Ministerial Conference #MC14. Norway Amb. Petter Petter Ølberg has a 12-page pre-Yaoundé report, including:

1. Draft statement
2. Points for ministers to discuss
3. Work plan for after
4. Wide disagreements still

🔄️ What can we expect on #WTOReform at #MC14?

In a new video, @alicetipping.bsky.social Tipping explains how the shifting #Trade landscape is shaping the reform debate – and why getting @wto.org members together, matters.

👉 Learn what’s on the table at MC14: bit.ly/4rN2LFL

[1/2]

China defends MFN principle in WTO reform paper - Borderlex - European trade policy In a paper circulated in Geneva on 18 February, Beijing described MFN as "the bedrock of the WTO" and called for "an open, fair, non-discriminatory and rules-based international economic and trade order."

China did express a willingness to discuss “government measures that distort international trade”, writes @chrishorseman.bsky.social

#ChinaMFN #WTOReform

Week Ahead: Economic Security doctrine, WTO, EU-UK, deforestation, Mercosure - Borderlex - European trade policy We are expecting the released of a long-awaited economic security doctrine from the European Commission, and the WTO community is engaging in valiant efforts to bring its reform forward.

This week in trade policy in Europe

👉 EU #economicsecurity 'doctrine'
👉 #WTOReform talks
👉 EU-UK trade meeting
👉 deforestation trilogue
👉 Intense EP trade meeting, featuring Mercosur i.a.

Side view of the World Trade Organization building. Text overlaid reads, "New article. What we should be talking about when we talk about WTO reform."

🧠 #WTOReform is top of mind for multilateral #trade policy-makers. But in a multipolar world, reform is no easy task.

🆕 In a new article, @alicetipping.bsky.social explores how the @wto.org system has evolved & why reform is a chance to rethink #GlobalTrade rules.

🔗 bit.ly/4hAQG24

Yuvan Beejadhur of @wto.org highlights that, despite geopolitical turmoil, the multilateral trading system still works. He stresses the centrality of #WTOReform to be discussed at #MC14 in 2026, specifically to center on protecting functioning aspects & repurposing harmful subsidies.

WTO still pursuing reform agenda despite ‘deep divergences’ - Borderlex The World Trade Organization will continue to push for agreement on reforms to its internal processes at the next ministerial conference in March 2026, despite continuing disagreements among members o...

Despite headwinds, @wto.org members continue pursuing reform efforts. “If we fail to do this, the consequences – for all our economies, for the trading system, and for future generations – are clear,” Petter Ølberg, chair. #WTOREform #MC14
@chrishorseman.bsky.social

borderlex.net/2025/10/09/w...

4️⃣4️⃣2️⃣ days since WTO Members first requested legal incorporation of the IFD Agreement at the WTO General Council.
Yet a very few non-parties still block. This is another clear example why #WTOReform is urgent – and why #MC14 must deliver.

Read EU statement from today’s GC: shorturl.at/Rv5iH

As WTO faces an impasse in most negotiations and a systemic crisis, the EU 🇪🇺 stressed today at the WTO Trade Negotiations Committee that #WTOReform must be the top priority to improve WTO's governance, and update its rules, notably on industrial policies and non-market practices.

WTO dispute settlement reform talks frozen until Trump leaves office  - Borderlex World Trade Organization members have called a halt to efforts to reform the organization's dispute settlement system for as long as the Trump administration remains in power.

"World Trade Organization members have called a halt to efforts to reform the organization’s dispute settlement system for as long as the Trump administration remains in power," reports @chrishorseman.bsky.social

#WTO #WTOReform #WTODisputeSettlement

Full story:
borderlex.net/2025/06/23/w...

WTO dispute settlement reform talks frozen until Trump leaves office  - Borderlex World Trade Organization members have called a halt to efforts to reform the organization's dispute settlement system for as long as the Trump administration remains in power.

"World Trade Organization members have called a halt to efforts to reform the organization’s dispute settlement system for as long as the Trump administration remains in power," reports @chrishorseman.bsky.social

#WTO #WTOReform #WTODisputeSettlement

Full story:
borderlex.net/2025/06/23/w...

WTO dispute settlement reform talks frozen until Trump leaves office  - Borderlex World Trade Organization members have called a halt to efforts to reform the organization's dispute settlement system for as long as the Trump administration remains in power.

"World Trade Organization members have called a halt to efforts to reform the organization’s dispute settlement system for as long as the Trump administration remains in power," reports @chrishorseman.bsky.social

#WTO #WTOReform #WTODisputeSettlement

Full story:
borderlex.net/2025/06/23/w...

⚡️ #WTO เรียกประชุมฉุกเฉินเอกอัครราชทูตทั่วโลก 19 พ.ค. นี้! ถกปัญหาวิกฤต #ความตึงเครียดการค้าโลก สะท้อนบทบาท #องค์การการค้าโลก ในการรักษาเสถียรภาพระบบการค้า พร้อมเร่งเครื่องสู่การประชุมใหญ่ MC14 ปี 2569 จับตาความเคลื่อนไหวสำคัญ! #การค้าโลก #WTOreform
อ่านต่อ: [Link to Article]

อ่านต่อ https://th.xee4.com?p=7084

THINK TANK: WTO reform, EU response to Trump, EU-Med, tariff revenue myths  - Borderlex This week, think tanks focus on WTO reform and give more advice on how the EU should handle its negotiations with the Trump administration.

This week think tanks focus on #WTOreform, give advice on EU negotiations with #Trump, crunch numbers on tariff revenue hopes & more

Do you want a summary of what the Hinrich Foundation, @ecfr.eu, ECPIE & @voxeu.org have been working on?

Maia Wilson has you covered ↓
borderlex.net/2025/04/29/t...

WTO: Global trade to shrink in 2025 as tariffs bite - Borderlex Global trade in goods will shrink in 2025 as a direct result of the new United States' tariffs and the international reaction to them, the World Trade Organization said today.

"The WTO said the outlook for global trade “has deteriorated sharply” as a result of the surge in tariffs," writes Chris Horseman 👇

✔️ North America to see worst impact, as Europe returns to growth

✔️ 🇨🇳 Chinese exports face trade diversion

And more...

#WTO #WTOReform
borderlex.net/2025/04/16/w...

WTO: Global trade to shrink in 2025 as tariffs bite - Borderlex Global trade in goods will shrink in 2025 as a direct result of the new United States' tariffs and the international reaction to them, the World Trade Organization said today.

"The WTO said the outlook for global trade “has deteriorated sharply” as a result of the surge in tariffs," writes Chris Horseman 👇

✔️ North America to see worst impact, as Europe returns to growth

✔️ 🇨🇳 Chinese exports face trade diversion

And more...

#WTO #WTOReform
borderlex.net/2025/04/16/w...

🌍As the WTO marked 30 years, how can it build a fairer, more inclusive trading system for all members?

📢 Our latest SouthViews explores the key issues for the proposed DG reflection process towards meaningful #WTOreform.

🔗 www.southcentre.int/southviews-n...

At Australia's 9th #WTO Trade Policy Review, the EU values 🇦🇺's key role in the multilateral trading system.

As like-minded partners, 🇪🇺&🇦🇺 support #WTOReform to address root causes of today’s trade tensions and fill the gaps in the rulebook.

Our statement: europa.eu/!nNvkhF