World Trade Organization calls for reform of the global trading system. No significant progress expected due to numerous disagreements.
Director-General Okonjo-Iweala said growth rate of global merchandise trade could fall below 3.3% this year. Other outcomes that will emerge from the 4-day meeting include the accession of two new members, Comoros and East Timor, and an agreement between about 120 countries to remove barriers that hinder development and investment. The most difficult outcomes are the extension of the 25-year moratorium on applying customs tariffs to digital trade.