WTO

The COVID-19 pandemic and the prospect of increasingly frequent and more intense natural and man-made disasters raise important questions about the resilience of the global economy to such shocks. The World Trade Report 2021 explores the basic, binary assumption driving much of the current debate about economic resilience, namely the inherent trade-off between global trade interdependence and national economic security, and suggests that this can be a false dilemma. Due to its interconnected nature, international trade can increase an economy’s exposure to risks and contribute to the transmission of shockwaves. At the same time, it can bolster economic resilience, particularly when backed by domestic policies and effective global cooperation. As a driver of economic growth, trade can generate the resources and knowledge needed to prepare for crises. It can also help countries recover by facilitating the provision of goods and services needed to cope with a crisis. Policies aimed at increasing economic resilience by re-shoring production and unwinding trade integration ultimately reduce economic resilience. Conversely, trade diversification can contribute to economic resilience by allowing countries to be less dependent on a limited number of importers, exporters and sectors. The World Trade Report 2021 shows that a more open, inclusive and predictable trade environment is needed to promote diversification and contribute to economic resilience. The WTO already plays a key role in making economies more resilient by promoting lower trade barriers and greater transparency in trade policies. Further international cooperation at the WTO can strengthen the mutual supportiveness of trade openness and economic resilience so that the world is better prepared to deal with future crises.

The establishment of the multilateral trading system over seven decades ago was based on the understanding that interdependence and cooperation contribute to peace and shared prosperity. More recently, however, new challenges, such as geopolitical tensions, rising inequalities and climate change, have led to fears that globalization exposes countries to excessive risks. Such fears have increased pressures to unwind trading relationships and turn to unilateral policies through a process of fragmentation. This year’s World Trade Report examines the benefits of integration into world trade as well as the risks of fragmentation. It shows that trade has proved to be a source of security and peace, a driver of poverty reduction, and a critical tool for addressing climate change. The Report argues that, to make our economies more secure, inclusive and sustainable, re-globalization – or integrating more people, economies and pressing issues into global trade and strengthening multilateral cooperation – is a much more effective solution to global challenges than fragmentation. Global problems need global solutions, meaning that today’s world needs more cooperation, not less. A reinvigorated multilateral trading system overseen by the WTO has an important role to play in this process.

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.

“World Trade Statistical Review” looks into the latest trends in global trade, with in-depth analysis of what is being traded and who the key players are. Analytical chapters are complemented by over 65 tables providing a detailed breakdown of the goods and services being traded and the leading exporters/importers.

El progreso tecnológico siempre ha condicionado el comercio. En los últimos años, muchos observadores han saludado la aparición de una nueva tecnología, las cadenas de bloques, como el nuevo factor que transformará de manera radical el panorama comercial. ¿Pueden las cadenas de bloques revolucionar el comercio internacional? El objetivo de la presente publicación es desmitificar el fenómeno de las cadenas de bloques aportando una explicación básica de esta tecnología. En el documento se analiza la importancia que tiene esta tecnología para el comercio internacional, indicando cómo se utiliza en la actualidad y cómo podría llegar a utilizarse en diversas esferas abarcadas por las normas de la OMC. Del análisis se desprende en qué medida podría la adopción de esta tecnología afectar al comercio transfronterizo de mercancías y servicios y a los derechos de propiedad intelectual. El documento examina las posibilidades que ofrecen las cadenas de bloques para reducir los costes del comercio y mejorar la transparencia en las cadenas de suministro, así como las oportunidades que brinda a los pequeños productores y las pequeñas empresas. Por último, el documento repasa los distintos retos que es necesario superar para que la tecnología pueda utilizarse a gran escala e incidir de manera significativa en el comercio internacional.

Arbitration reports determine the reasonable period of time for a WTO member to comply with the recommendations and rulings of the Dispute Settlement Body and the level of retaliation that a WTO member may undertake in situations where a WTO member has not complied within the prescribed time.

L'Examen statistique du commerce mondial présente une analyse détaillée de l'évolution la plus récente du commerce mondial. Il paraîtra tous les ans et remplace les “Statistiques du commerce international”, la publication statistique annuelle précédente de l'OMC.

El tema principal del Informe sobre el Comercio Mundial 2003 es el desarrollo. Al explicar el origen de esta cuestión y ofrecer un marco analítico para abordar la cuestión de la relación entre comercio y desarrollo, se pretende que el Informe contribuya a un debate más informado y a una mejor apreciación de las distintas opciones disponibles para abordar los problemas de política.

The International Trade Statistics 2003 contains up-to-date statistics on trade in merchandise and commercial services for an assessment of world trade flows by country, region and main product groups or service categories.

Le Rapport annuel de l'OMC se concentre sur les activités régulières de l'organisation et détaille sa structure actuelle, incluant le personnel et le budget.