ON WTO REFORM

COMMUNICATION FROM THE UNITED STATES

The following communication, dated 15 December 2025, is being circulated at the request of the delegation of the United States.

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1  Introduction

1.1.  The reform discussions this fall have been helpful in many respects, and the United States is appreciative of the efforts of Ambassador Petter Ølberg in facilitating these discussions. Since 2017, the United States has been a leader on WTO reform by proposing solutions to concerns that we have identified, and throughout the course of the recent discussions we have sought to actively and constructively engage with other Members on the three issues raised by Ambassador Ølberg: decision-making, special and differential treatment, and level playing field. After reflecting on these discussions, the United States is providing this communication to the General Council to: (1) express U.S. views on the three issues; (2) clarify that a reform agenda at the WTO must address more than just those three issues, to include concerns regarding the most-favored-nation principle (MFN), the role of the Secretariat, and application of the essential security exception; and (3) explain the U.S. view that the WTO is unable to address certain systemic problems, such as imbalances, overcapacity, economic security, and supply chain resilience.

1.2.  The United States has serious concerns with the trading system embodied by the WTO, given that the system has overseen and contributed to a world of severe and sustained imbalances. These imbalances, which are driven in part by overcapacity and concentration of production, have created dangerous dependencies and vulnerabilities for many countries and have undermined many countries' legitimate aspirations to develop or maintain industrial capacity.

1.3.  Severe trading imbalances and policies aimed at reducing other countries' manufacturing capabilities have harmed not only the United States; they have harmed scores of countries—developed and developing—and these imbalances and policies present the greatest threat to a global economy of fair and reciprocal trade. We urge other Members to follow our lead and take actions—both within the WTO and outside the WTO—to combat such predatory economic policies.

1.4.  The WTO cannot serve as the forum for solving all existing and future challenges in the global trading system. Indeed, the WTO does not fully live up to its own mission. The United States considers the WTO to be one of the tools available to economies. Our collective reform efforts should be directed at making changes that recognize the limitations of the organization and strengthen what Members can realistically achieve through the WTO.