Feeling the global trade rollercoaster? 🎢 On Thursday in Geneva, experts gathered at the WTO Public Forum 2025 to tackle the heat on U.S. unilateral tariffs and explore ways to keep international trade running smoothly. Hosted by the Shanghai University of International Business and Economics in the Chinese mainland, this China-led seminar sparked eye-opening discussions on what lies ahead for businesses and economies worldwide.
Professor Ju Jiandong from the Chinese mainland's Tsinghua University shared fresh numbers from his team’s latest study: if "reciprocal tariffs" stick around, global trade could shrink by around 3.4% by 2025. The U.S. might see its imports drop by 19% and exports by 12% — a big hit for anyone trading across borders. 📉
Luz Maria de la Mora, director at UN Trade and Development, flagged that trade uncertainty has been on the rise since 2016, thanks to geopolitical tensions and rising costs. "Developing WTO members need stronger rules and a reliable dispute-settlement system," she urged, calling for more free trade pacts and confidence-boosting moves to protect long-term investments.
On the tech front, Barbara Ramos from the International Trade Center championed digital tools to help businesses grow. She stressed the need for solid digital infrastructure, upskilling, and smart regulations so entrepreneurs can tap into e-commerce, cut costs, and reach new markets. 💡
By the end of the seminar, everyone agreed: it’s crucial to back a transparent, rules-based multilateral trade system. With over 90 sessions and 4,000 participants in town for the Public Forum, the message was clear — teamwork and tech are key to weathering today’s trade storms.
Reference(s):
China-led WTO seminar formulating response to unilateral tariffs
cgtn.com
