The WTO ministerial conference, its supreme decision-making body, is usually held every other year. Swiss ambassador to the WTO Erwin Bollinger agreed, warning that a loss of relevance by the WTO could "lead to more fragmentation of the trading system". "The Americans have effectively withdrawn from the WTO," Pascal Lamy, who headed the organisation from 2005 to 2013, told AFP. - Washington has 'serious concerns' -Washington has not held back in its criticism of the WTO. US ambassador to the WTO Joseph Barloon said last week that his country rejects the current WTO reform proposal.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha March 20, 2026 03:56 UTC