World Trade Organization (WTO)

Neither party is saying enough about international trade in their election proposals, with discussion of UK–EU trade a striking omission.

Yet again, a WTO ministerial is being criticized for producing little of substance. But the Organization provides an opportunity for powers like the US, China, EU and India to agree pragmatic ways forward.

There is much to learn from recent events, but policymakers should build on the framework that already exists.

The annual growth rate of global import volumes remained negative in early 2023 and there are few reasons to think that things will improve.

The Rt Hon James Cleverly made the remarks during his opening address to the 2023 Chatham House London conference.

Japan’s G7 presidency is a chance to narrow differences on economic security, strengthen member coordination, and step-up engagement with non-G7 countries.

The economic benefits are small, but the UK can use its membership of CPTPP to boost its global profile by influencing trade and international governance.

Geopolitics are creating a more uncertain economic environment as the global economy splinters into competing blocs.

A centenary special issue of International Affairs explores past foreign policy failures to help policymakers avoid future catastrophes.

By addressing both short and long-term supply chain issues, G7 can pave the way to a global economic recovery and create better resilience to future shocks.

As the G7 prepares to meet, coordinated global action on circular trade is needed to ensure that all countries benefit equally from the circular economy transition.

In the first of a series of interviews with the Queen Elizabeth II Academy Faculty, Lord Malloch-Brown tackles the challenge of agreeing multilateral solutions as international institutions struggle to deal with multiple crises.

At last, there is a new proposal for a waiver on Covid-19 vaccine patents, but it is a far from useful compromise, says James Love

Exploring future trade policy through issues such as the green transition, labour standards, human rights, the role of the WTO, and non-trade policy objectives.

Catherine Fieschi argues that solidarity has passed its Covid test

Omicron highlights why a global regime is needed to support countries reporting variants, and that a shared sense of well-being has to come to the fore.

What is meant by deglobalization, what does it mean for efforts to address global challenges, and are there any benefits to having a less globalized world?

The new special issue of International Affairs examines the future of the liberal international order (LIO) by looking at three competing trends – globalization, deglobalization and reglobalization.

The decision in 1971 to suspend the convertibility of the US dollar into gold has lessons for addressing the challenges faced by the modern international economic system.

Faced with a breakdown of the international trading system, the European Union took up a significant leadership role.

The latest issue of International Affairs has 16 articles on a range of subjects from transnational politics in the Gulf to psychological warfare in China.

For the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to succeed, there must be an urgent move away from reactive ‘defence-oriented’ mindsets when managing climate risk.

Climate action was on the agenda as the G7 convened for its first summit since the pandemic began.

With Germany and Japan next in line for leading the G7, these two champions of global trade should continue to carry the baton of a separate trade track.

For the open global economy to survive, the losers from technological change and trade must be fairly compensated.

As the evolution of climate policy sees carbon-neutral targets and climate taxes going more mainstream, the trade regime is being put under increasing pressure.

Whoever prevails in the race to be the next director-general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) faces some key realities as the global trade body chief.

African governments need to coordinate and leverage the power of their collective voice to garner sustained support and influence global governance systems.

Marianne Schneider-Petsinger explains the three key functions of the WTO and the current challenges facing each of these functions.

As the economic recovery from coronavirus is worked through, careful steps are needed to ensure actions to enforce human rights commitments in trade agreements do not worsen human rights impacts.

Global economic and financial institutions have been ill equipped to date to support climate action. What reforms are realistically possible?

Global trade continues to face multiple challenges as the risks of deepening tensions between the US and China, along with those of an escalation of Russia’s war on Ukraine, weigh on economies.

The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) has become the main platform for US–EU trade and tech cooperation. But the US and the EU must turn ambitions into tangible outcomes if the TTC is to tackle significant global issues.

International trade is an essential component of the transition to a circular economy. Collective action at the global level can help ensure that all countries benefit equally from the circular economy transition.

After two decades as a member of the WTO, how has China’s approach to global economic governance enabled the country to achieve its core objectives?

This paper offers a public policy ‘toolkit’ for governments in the US and Europe to support firms in securing resilient and sustainable supply chains

This paper investigates the extent to which international organizations, including UN agencies, are incorporating climate change risks into their strategic planning and risk management.

The collapse in economic activity caused by COVID-19 has prompted massive fiscal intervention in many countries. The next policy challenge will be to manage a smooth recovery.

A modernized and fully functioning WTO is more essential than ever. This paper makes the case for transatlantic cooperation as a necessary condition for reform.

This paper examines the risks of greater strategic competition as well as potential solutions for mitigating the impacts of the US–China economic confrontation.