WTO Chief calls for reducing trade tensions
By TIOL News Service
GENEVA, MAY 26, 2018: ADDRESSING a meeting of APEC trade ministers in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on May 25, Director-General Roberto Azevêdo called on ministers to address rising trade tensions and to step up efforts to advance the WTO’s work in a number of areas. During their session on ‘Supporting the Multilateral Trading System’, which had a thematic focus on the digital economy, the Director-General also updated ministers on ongoing debates in Geneva following the WTO’s 11th Ministerial Conference (MC11) in Buenos Aires.
“APEC members have long been champions of the global trading system. I urge ministers to stay active and engaged, and to play their part – both in resolving the critical issues before us today and in finding ways to continue strengthening and improving the multilateral trading system. An escalation in trade tensions would affect everyone across the Asia-Pacific region, and beyond. Working together through the WTO, we have resolved previous tensions and helped to preserve the stability of the global economy. We must do the same again today," he added.
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