EPP Group urges ministers to solve deadlock WTO talks

Following the collapse of the WTO ministerial meeting in Yaoundé (MC14), Jörgen Warborn MEP, EPP Group spokesman on International Trade, warned of serious consequences for global trade stability and confidence in the multilateral system.

"It is deeply regrettable that ministers were unable to reach an agreement ahead of MC14, after days of intense talks in Yaoundé. A disastrous mark of ministers’ failure to recognise businesses’ need for a reformed WTO. It shows that decision-making is not working," Warborn said. "Key issues remain unresolved, particularly the e-commerce moratorium and the incorporation of plurilateral agreements."

During the ministerial, Warborn also presented a set of reform priorities on behalf of parliamentarians from around the world, underlining continued political pressure to modernise the system and restore the WTO’s effectiveness.

"Ministers must now finalise the remaining talks at the next General Council meeting. Businesses rely on it, and the credibility of the WTO is at stake," Warborn said, calling on the EU to work closely with partners to break the deadlock and secure a swift agreement, stressing the need to safeguard a predictable, rules-based global trading system.