In a significant move toward stabilizing the international trade order, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao met with Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO), this past Friday. The high-level meeting focused on the current state of the global economic and trade landscape, progress following the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), and the ongoing pursuit of WTO reform.
",Minister Wang emphasized that China remains firmly committed to the multilateral trading system. He highlighted the importance of defending the WTO's foundational principles, such as most-favored-nation treatment, and expressed strong support for the organization's role in improving global economic governance. By fostering a stable international trade environment, Wang noted that the global community can better navigate contemporary economic challenges.
",A key point of discussion was the need for WTO members to reach a consensus on several outstanding issues. Specifically, Minister Wang pointed to the importance of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions as a priority for members to resolve to ensure the continued growth of digital trade.
",Director-General Okonjo-Iweala praised China for its consistent and steadfast support of the multilateral trading system, acknowledging the country's critical contributions to the pragmatic outcomes achieved during the MC14.
",Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, Okonjo-Iweala expressed high expectations for China in its role as the host of APEC 2026. She noted that China is well-positioned to help APEC members build consensus and send a positive signal to the world in support of stronger international economic and trade cooperation.
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Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao meets with WTO director-general
cgtn.com
