A high-level seminar at the WTO Public Forum 2025 in Geneva has spotlighted growing concerns over unilateral tariff measures and their ripple effects on global commerce. Organized by Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, the event brought together trade experts to analyze challenges facing developing economies and propose multilateral solutions.
Professor Ju Jiandong of Tsinghua University presented striking projections: U.S. 'reciprocal tariffs' could reduce global trade by 3.4% by 2025, with American imports and exports declining 19% and 12% respectively. His analysis warned of potential retaliatory cycles that could destabilize international markets.
UN Trade and Development's Luz Maria de la Mora highlighted rising trade costs since 2016, particularly impacting developing nations. 'We must restore faith in the dispute-settlement mechanism and accelerate free trade agreements,' she urged, emphasizing digital infrastructure development as key to trade resilience.
International Trade Center's Barbara Ramos advocated for digital transformation, stating: 'Businesses using e-commerce tools see 34% higher export probabilities. Governments must prioritize digital skills and regulatory frameworks.'
The forum concluded with broad consensus on preserving WTO's central role, with 89% of participants endorsing strengthened multilateral rules during a live poll. As global trade faces unprecedented challenges, this dialogue marks crucial steps toward stabilizing supply chains and protecting vulnerable economies.
