China has called on World Trade Organization (WTO) members to reinforce the rules-based multilateral trading system amid rising global economic instability, emphasizing collaboration to address trade disruptions. Li Yongjie, head of China's Permanent Mission to the WTO, outlined the proposal during the WTO General Council meeting this week, stressing the need for collective action to stabilize supply chains and counter unilateral measures.
Li highlighted China's 'Stability, Development, and Reform' (SDR) framework, a three-pronged strategy prioritizing stability as a foundation, development as a goal, and institutional reform as a pathway to strengthen the WTO. The proposal, introduced for the fourth time, garnered support from multiple members, including the EU, Brazil, and Australia.
Criticizing U.S. trade policies, Li stated that unilateral tariffs and bilateral agreements undermine multilateral principles, eroding trust in the global trading system. She urged members to enhance transparency, reaffirm commitment to WTO rules, and advance practical reforms to ensure equitable outcomes.
Representatives from Switzerland, Pakistan, and other economies echoed the need to uphold WTO principles, signaling broad consensus on addressing trade fragmentation. The discussions come as geopolitical tensions and protectionist policies continue to strain international markets.
