U.S. President Donald Trump has signed several trade agreements with countries such as Malaysia, Cambodia, Argentina, and Bangladesh. Trade agreements exemplify the legalisation of international trade relations. But are all trade agreements the same? The U.S. refers to agreements signed by Mr. Trump as Agreements on Reciprocal Trade (ART), as opposed to Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). MultilateralismAt the core of international trade treaties is the robust multilateral trade agreement established by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) and the World Trade Organization (WTO).

Source: The Hindu February 25, 2026 03:25 UTC