Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, called on Friday for comprehensive reforms to the global trading framework, acknowledging growing international demands — including those from the United States — to modernize the system amid rising economic tensions.
Speaking during the Munich Security Conference, Okonjo-Iweala said the current global trading structure remains resilient but requires strengthening to address evolving economic realities and mounting trade disputes
Her remarks come ahead of a key WTO meeting scheduled to take place next month in Cameroon, where member states are expected to discuss pathways for reform and measures aimed at reinforcing confidence in multilateral trade.
Okonjo-Iweala noted that while some countries may disagree with recent US trade measures, the debate has highlighted structural weaknesses within the global system that must be addressed through coordinated reforms.
Last year, US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing tariffs ranging between 10 percent and 41 percent on imports from dozens of countries, a move that intensified global trade tensions and triggered legal and policy challenges.
The legality of these tariffs is currently under review by the US Supreme Court.
“The system is resilient, but it is not strong,” Okonjo-Iweala said, stressing that the WTO is working toward necessary reforms to ensure a more stable, predictable and effective international trading environment.
