The United States has expressed concern about the functioning of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and called for reforms, said the director general of the organization, Roberto Azevedo, on Monday (19.03.2018).
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an informal meeting of 50 WTO members in New Delhi, Azevedo said the global trading environment was quite risky and the WTO was looking to have an "open and honest" conversation with its members, gathered in New Delhi.
"We are currently facing many challenges within and outside the WTO.", he indicated Azevedo.
The meeting is the first between WTO members since US President Donald Trump announced tariffs of 25% on steel imports and 10% on aluminium this month.
Azevedo said the United States maintains that global trade has changed since the WTO, which is in charge of setting global trade rules between nations, was created in 1995.
"The United States wants some improvements and reforms (in the WTO) and there are talks going on."s," the WTO chief said of Washington, which is not represented at the New Delhi meeting.
A senior Indian government official said all trade-related issues, including the U.S. decision on tariffs, would be discussed at the two-day informal meeting, without giving further details.
Although the United States has declined to declare the tariffs before the WTO, they could still fall under its jurisdiction if affected countries file complaints.
Source: Reuters
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