I spent some time working for Canada on WTO negotiations. My first Ministerial Meeting was the “Battle in Seattle”. I have some understanding of how difficult it is to land consensus in the organization.
While many had already declared the WTO effectively dead a while ago, I still held some hope that the current international mood would galvanize countries to cobble together something positive at the meeting to allow the international organization, and all those who labour for it, to hold their heads up just a bit. However, by just about every account, the recent WTO Ministerial Meeting in Cameroon was a dismal failure.
And at this stage you have to wonder if anyone will care enough to give it another try.
Here are a selection of post-meeting media releases…
From the WTO
Three releases that ignore the real story and note lack of concensus on key topics and looking to future work programs to allow for conclusion of discussions.
Ministers exchange views on key WTO topics, consider paths forward at MC14
Members participating in IFD Agreement issue joint ministerial declaration at end of MC14
DG cites MPIA as “practical, confidence-building bridge” pending dispute reform deal
The chances of a future WTO work program making progress on these items has to be about zero.
From Canada
Brief description of the positions that Canada took into the meeting. Most of the text highlights the meetings/discussions that took place in the margins to advance Canada’s non-WTO initiatives.
Minister Sidhu advances Canada’s trade priorities at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon
The real use of the WTO seems to be to occasionally bring together some Trade Ministers for a speed dating evening.
From the U.S.
Strong criticism of the Ministerial and the WTO with a dismissal of the idea that the WTO can play a role in global trade in the future.
Press Release Regarding the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference
It’s clear Greer won’t bother with the WTO again.
From the EU
Expressions of regret about the absence of agreement on final package including ecommerce and WTO reform.
Outcome of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference
A commitment to support further work.
Perhaps the most honest assessments are going to be found not from the countries that attended the meeting, but from observers who have studied the organization. While there will be a number of these, two opinions by the Hinrich Foundation that landed in my inbox today sort of sum it up… and it’s harsh.
The WTO cannot keep calling delay a result
The close of the WTO’s MC14 should be seen for what it is: not even a respectable near-miss, but another warning that the institution’s decision-making machinery is no longer equal to the demands of modern trade. The language of diplomacy will call this unfinished business. The language of honesty should call it another warning that the institution’s decision-making machinery is no longer equal to the demands of modern trade.
The WTO limps out of MC14
Expectations of a successful summit were never high. In the end, nothing was decided, except to continue discussions. By the time the WTO’s 166 members limped out of town, the institution was nearly unable to even hold a closing ceremony. The ignominious failure of the global agenda, however, was offset by some important advancements alongside the meetings.
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