Item 8. Heightened Trade Turbulence and Responses from the WTO

Round 1

Thank you, Chair.

China requests this item to discuss how the WTO and its Members can collectively respond to heightened trade turbulence.

I take note that many members have expressed their serious concerns under previous items.

The world faces a series of “Tariff Shocks”. The U.S. has imposed or threatened tariffs on its trading partners, including China, unilaterally and arbitrarily, blatantly violating WTO rules. China firmly opposes such measures.

These “Tariff Shocks” heighten economic uncertainty, disrupt global trade, and risk domestic inflation, market distortion, or even global recession.

Worse, the U.S. unilateralism threatens to upend the rule-based multilateral trading system (MTS). The MTS is hard-earned, and painstakingly built on the lessons of the devastation of world wars and the Great Depression. Its rules and institutions are a public good for all Members. No Member has the right to undermine its authority. The stakes are high for all members, big or small.

At this critical juncture, as a rule-based organization regulating the global trade, the WTO must have its voice.

In the meantime, the Members must act. Beyond reiterating commitment to multilateralism, we must translate words into action by ensuring MC14 deliver tangible results, particularly on development.

Let’s work together to turn crises into opportunities. Amid the storm of unilateralism, the WTO remains an island of stability and a cornerstone for rule-based trade. This heightened turbulence also spurs urgency for WTO reform, so that we can cement its foundation, and restore its functions to address the challenges of our time.

Together, we can weather this storm and emerge stronger.

I will stop here, Chair.

Round 2

Thank you, Chair.

China appreciates the thoughtful interventions from all Members and the DG, including those made under previous agenda items. There is a clear shared concern over unilateralism and arbitrary tariffs, which threatens the stability of global trade.

Regarding the U.S. comments, they are, at best, a red herring. While the U.S. may attempt to deflect attention by reviving old rhetoric, which China previously already refuted many times, including in this room, we cannot lose sight of the root cause of today’s trade turbulence and threats to all members: It is US arbitrary tariffs and unilateral measures.

The real questions we must ask ourselves are: Can we practice multilateralism, not exceptionalism? Can we embrace predictability, not fuel uncertainty? Can we uphold WTO rules, not succumb to the law of jungle? And can we take up shared responsibility, not just self-serving? The answers to these questions lie at the heart of our discussions today.

We urge the U.S. to honestly address these questions, withdraw its wrongful unilateral tariffs and threats, and engage in multilateral dialogues based on equity, mutual benefit, and mutual respect. As a key Member of the WTO, the U.S. has a responsibility to play a constructive role in strengthening the multilateral trading system, not undermining it.

China is open to engage with all members, of course, including the US.

Thank you, Chair.