USCIB was on the ground last week at the World Trade Organization (WTO) Public Forum in Geneva, advocating for member priorities, including commercially meaningful outcomes for the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on E-commerce, permanent renewal of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, preservation of the integrity of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS) agreement, and industry proposals to facilitate the green transition.
USCIB also facilitated a roundtable discussion to showcase industry best practices on circularity, plastics pollution, and other important trade and environment topics. USCIB Members (led by the American Chemistry Council, Apple, and Walmart), WTO officials (WTO Deputy Director General Paugam, WTO Director for Trade and Environment Aik Hoe Lim and WTO environment leaders) and members of the International Chamber of Commerce engaged in a robust exchange about the need to develop the appropriate legal and regulatory frameworks to facilitate circularity, trade in refurbished goods and movement of waste. USCIB member Boston Consulting Group (BCG) graciously hosted the event.
A key takeaway from the Public Forum of notable concern, certain emerging economies continue to block liberalization efforts at the WTO, clouding the outlook for a robust 14th Ministerial Conference that will be held in Cameroon sometime in late 2025 or early 2026.
“Members depend on the WTO for safeguarding a stable, rules-based trading system to facilitate international commerce, support innovation and promote global prosperity,” said Alice Slayton Clark, USCIB Senior Vice President for Trade, Investment and Digital Policy. “The voice of business is critical to this process, providing on-the-ground, pragmatic and innovative solutions to the global challenges of today. We are grateful for the opportunity to provide our views during panels, side events and meetings at the Forum and will continue to work for a more permanent role for stakeholder voice at this important institution.”
