Books

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to lead to a new era of growth. By transforming how goods and services are produced, exchanged and consumed, AI can bring about substantial changes in the global economy. Yet the future trajectory of AI remains uncertain, raising critical questions about trade and inclusive growth. The World Trade Report 2025 explores the complex and fast-evolving relationship between AI and international trade and how this relationship can shape inclusive growth. AI offers new opportunities to reduce trade costs, boost productivity and expand access to global markets. In addition, trade can help to render AI more accessible by spreading knowledge, fostering innovation and promoting participation in AI value chains. However, unequal access across the world to digital infrastructure, appropriate skills and capabilities could increase the digital divide. Also, the impact of AI on the labour market presents additional challenges. Whether AI-enabled trade translates into broad-based, inclusive growth will depend on the design and implementation of trade and trade-related policies. WTO rules on trade in goods, services, data, intellectual property and public procurement can shape the availability, affordability and diffusion of AI. Complementary policies regulating competition, data infrastructure, energy, education and government support can also help to determine whether and how economies benefit from AI-enabled trade. The WTO can play a central role in ensuring that AI supports more inclusive trade-led growth by administering WTO rules, by fostering dialogue, transparency and capacity-building, and by deepening collaboration on AI and digital trade with other international organizations.

The Global Value Chain Development Report 2023, the fourth in this biennial series, is released at a critical juncture in the evolution of Global Value Chains (GVCs). In response to the diverse shocks of recent years, this report explores approaches to build resilient and sustainable GVCs. It provides an overview of the most recent trends in GVCs, assesses the effects of the trade tensions and the COVID-19 pandemic on GVCs, and illustrates particular changes of energy and semiconductor supply chains. It also analyzes the challenges of climate change to GVCs and proposes a framework of greening value chains and policy options for enhancing inclusive development through GVC participation.

Trade Policy Tools for Climate Action, a publication by the WTO Secretariat, looks into the trade policies that governments could consider as part of their strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The publication covers ten policy areas where governments have introduced measures to support the transition to a low-carbon economy, improve the flow of climate-friendly goods and services, decarbonize supply chains, and build resilience to extreme weather events and climate change. Launched at COP28, the publication is intended to shed light on how trade policy actions for climate could accelerate the transition to a climate-friendly global economy as part of the WTO Secretariat’s efforts to encourage the full use of the power of trade to deliver on collective sustainable development objectives, including those in relation to the climate crisis.

Hydrogen produced exclusively from renewable power – known as green hydrogen – is widely recognised as a key pillar in replacing fossil fuels and decarbonizing sectors that cannot easily be electrified, such as some industrial processes, shipping and aviation. This publication – jointly produced by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) – explores how trade policies can support the development of green hydrogen markets. The publication highlights in particular how lowering tariffs on key products, building reliable infrastructure, realigning domestic support programmes and developing green government procurement can foster the development of green hydrogen supply chains and the transition to a low-carbon economy. International trade could also play a significant role in matching supply and demand for green hydrogen, as the potential for domestic production in some economies might not be enough to satisfy domestic demand. The publication also addresses the challenges and opportunities for developing economies offered by green hydrogen and its derivatives, such as green methanol and green ammonia. It underscores the importance of international cooperation and the need to align regulatory frameworks to encourage technology development, enhanced transparency and market growth.

“Trade Policy Reviews" analyse the trade policies and practices of each member of the WTO. The reviews consist of three parts: an independent report by the WTO Secretariat, a report by the government, and the concluding remarks by the Chair of the WTO’s Trade Policy Review Body. The opening section - "key trade facts" - provides a visual overview of the WTO member's major exports/imports, main export destinations, origins for its imports and other key data. This edition looks into the trade practices of Seychelles.

El Informe anual 2023 informe abarca las actividades realizadas por la OMC en 2022 y principios de 2023. Al principio del informe, la Directora General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala reflexiona sobre los retos actuales a los que se enfrenta el comercio mundial (a junio de 2023) y la función de la OMC para ayudar al mundo a afrontarlos.

Trade Profiles 2023 provides a series of key indicators on trade in goods and services for 197 economies. For merchandise trade, major exports and imports are listed for both agricultural and non-agricultural products as well as major origins and destinations for total merchandise trade. For trade in services, a detailed breakdown is provided for transport, travel and other commercial services. Statistics on intellectual property are also provided. The information is available for all WTO members and observers and for other selected economies. For each economy, the data is presented in a handy two page format, providing a concise overview of global trade. The publication is an invaluable reference tool for anyone looking for essential trade statistics.

Les Profils commerciaux 2023 fournissent une série d’indicateurs clés sur le commerce des marchandises et des services de 197 économies. Concernant le commerce des marchandises, les principales exportations et importations de produits agricoles et non agricoles sont répertoriées avec les principales origines et destinations de ces produits. Concernant le commerce des services, une ventilation détaillée est donnée pour les services de transport, les services relatifs aux voyages et d’autres services commerciaux. La publication contient également des statistiques sur la propriété intellectuelle. Les informations sont disponibles pour tous les Membres de l’OMC et les observateurs et pour certaines autres économies. Par souci de commodité, les données pour chaque économie sont présentées sur deux pages, ce qui permet d’avoir un aperçu rapide du commerce mondial. La publication est un précieux outil de référence pour tous ceux qui ont besoin de statistiques commerciales de base.

Conférences ministérielles de l’OMC : principaux résultats Deuxième édition contient tous les principaux résultats des Conférences ministérielles de l’Organisation mondiale du commerce (OMC) depuis la création de celle-ci, en 1995. Couvrant douze Conférences ministérielles tenues entre 1996 et 2022, les principaux résultats incluent les décisions et déclarations ministérielles, ainsi que les déclarations des Président(e)s. La présente publication reproduit également les résultats ministériels pertinents du Cycle d’Uruguay adoptés en relation avec l’établissement de l’OMC. La présente publication complète Les Accords de l’OMC, ouvrage publié par Cambridge University Press et l’OMC, qui contient l’Accord de Marrakech instituant l’OMC et ses Annexes.

The fourth review of the trade policies and practices of Guatemala takes place on 12 and 14 November 2025. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Guatemala.

The fourth review of the trade policies and practices of the Maldives takes place on 23 and 25 October 2024. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of the Maldives.

The ninth review of the trade policies and practices of China takes place on 17 and 19 July 2024. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of China.

The fifth review of the trade policies and practices of Jamaica takes place on 10 and 12 July 2024. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Jamaica.

The first review of the trade policies and practices of Kazakhstan takes place on 25 and 27 September 2024. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Kazakhstan.

The fourth review of the trade policies and practices of the Solomon Islands takes place on 11 and 13 December 2024. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of the Solomon Islands.

The Third review of the trade policies and practices of Nepal takes place on 17 and 19 November 2025. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Nepal.

The ninth review of the trade policies and practices of Thailand takes place on 1 and 3 December 2025. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Thailand.

The fifth review of the trade policies and practices of Paraguay takes place on 20 and 22 November 2024. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Paraguay.

What is “digital trade” and how can it be measured and monitored to support policymakers in navigating the digital transformation of international commerce? Digital technologies have made it increasingly feasible for buyers and sellers to place and receive orders on a global scale. They also enable the instantaneous remote delivery of services directly into businesses and homes, including internationally. By focusing on these two criteria – digital ordering and digital delivery across borders – the Handbook on Measuring Digital Trade sets out a conceptual and measurement framework for digital trade that aligns with the broader standards for macroeconomic statistics. This second edition of the Handbook is the outcome of a partnership between the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and the World Trade Organization (WTO), resulting in a comprehensive agreed approach. This Handbook aims to help statistical compilers to address policymakers’ needs for statistical evidence on digital trade. It includes extensive compilation guidance, drawing upon substantive inputs and case studies from both developed and developing economies and covering a variety of survey and non-survey sources. A reporting template is also proposed to support compilers in the production and dissemination of digital trade statistics. This Handbook thereby establishes a valuable shared foundation for understanding and measuring digital trade in a way that is internationally comparable. Furthermore, it provides a crucial resource for an active programme of technical assistance and statistical capacity-building, through which the four co-authoring partner organizations can support statistical compilers as they seek to measure, monitor and respond to the challenges of digital trade.

Les Profils tarifaires dans le monde 2024 contiennent des renseignements détaillés sur les droits de douane et les mesures non tarifaires appliqués par plus de 170 pays et territoires douaniers. La publication commence par une ventilation des droits de douane appliqués par ces économies. Les données tarifaires sont présentées dans des tableaux comparatifs et sous forme de profils individuels d'une page pour chaque économie. Un tableau récapitulatif concernant certains indicateurs relatifs au profil des importations et des exportations pour ces économies est aussi disponible. Les données tarifaires sont complétées par des statistiques sur les mesures non tarifaires, par économie et par groupe de produits. Le sujet spécial traité dans la publication porte sur le thème "Droits de douane visant les minéraux essentiels à la chaîne de valeur des véhicules électriques". Cette publication est établie conjointement par l’Organisation mondiale du commerce, la Conférence des Nations Unies sur le commerce et le développement (CNUCED) et le Centre du commerce international (ITC).

The WTO’s “Global Trade Outlook and Statistics” analyses recent global trade developments. Breakdowns of merchandise and commercial services trade by sector and region are provided, together with details on leading traders. The report is timed to coincide with the release of the WTO’s latest quarterly and annual trade statistics, which can be downloaded from the WTO’s online database at stats.wto.org.

The report of the Joint Task Force on Climate Action, Carbon Pricing, and Policy Spillovers, with participation by the IMF, OECD, UNCTAD, World Bank, and WTO, makes four main contributions. First, it reflects on a common understanding of carbon pricing metrics which inform on the incentives to decarbonize and on cross-country variation in carbon prices, a key determinant of international spillover effects and competitiveness concerns. Second, the report analyzes the appropriate mixes of climate change mitigation policies, emphasizing the pivotal role of carbon pricing as the only policy implementing the polluter pays principle while generating revenues. Third, it analyzes how international organizations can support the coordination of policies to maximize positive and limit negative cross-border spillovers from climate change mitigation policies. Finally, it discusses how such coordination can help to scale up climate action by closing the transparency gap, the implementation gap, and the ambition gap.

Le supplément concernant la 13e Conférence ministérielle pour la publication intitulée “Conférences ministérielles de l’OMC, principaux résultats”

Cross‑border data flows are the lifeblood of today’s social and economic interactions, but they also raise a range of new challenges, including for privacy and data protection, national security, cybersecurity, digital protectionism and regulatory reach. This has led to a surge in regulation conditioning (or prohibiting) its flow or mandating that data be stored or processed domestically (data localisation). However, the economic implications of these measures are not well understood. This report provides estimates on what is at stake, highlighting that full fragmentation could reduce global GDP by 4.5%. It also underscores the benefits associated with open regimes with safeguards which could see global GDP increase by 1.7%. In a world where digital fragmentation is growing, global discussions on these issues can help harness the benefits of an open and safeguarded internet.

Suplemento relativo a la 13ª Conferencia Ministerial de la publicación titulada “Conferencias Ministeriales de la OMC, resultados fundamentales”