Fri Nov 08 17:00:00 UTC 2024: ## Trump’s Return Raises Concerns for WTO, US Trade Policy

**Geneva, Switzerland** – The potential impact of Donald Trump’s re-election as US president on international trade is a major concern, particularly for the World Trade Organization (WTO), according to a leading Chinese trade expert.

Tu Xinquan, director of the China Institute for WTO Studies, believes Trump’s past actions and rhetoric towards the organization, including threats to withdraw the US, suggest a continued negative attitude. While a US withdrawal is “relatively small”, Trump’s choice of US Trade Representative will be crucial in determining the future of US trade policy.

“Though the strategic value of the WTO for the United States is no longer primarily based on its trade relationship with China,” Tu says, “the WTO remains the most effective platform for the US to manage its trade relationships with over 160 other partners.” Exiting the WTO would be a significant challenge, requiring rebuilding trade relations with numerous countries, a process both time-consuming and potentially less efficient than the existing multilateral framework.

Concerns within the WTO about Trump’s return are “widespread”, with members already experiencing difficulty in communication and coordination with the US during his previous term. Preparations for the worst-case scenario are now underway, with the upcoming renewal of Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s term adding further uncertainty. The US’ potential opposition to her reappointment could force the WTO to find a candidate acceptable to the US, a process riddled with potential hurdles.

This development highlights the uncertainty surrounding the future of the WTO under a potential second Trump presidency. The organization’s ability to function effectively, maintain its role as a global trade regulator, and navigate the complex and ever-changing landscape of international trade is now under question.

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