WTO Reform Talks Stall Amid U.S.–India Differences
Trade ministers meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon, to discuss reforms at the World Trade Organization (WTO) faced major hurdles as sharp disagreements emerged between the United States, India, and several other member nations. Diplomats said most countries support advancing a reform workplan, but differences over key issues — including digital trade rules and decision-making processes — have slowed progress at a time when global trade is under strain from tariffs, supply-chain disruptions, and geopolitical conflicts.
India and the United States both agree reforms are needed but remain divided on how to proceed. Washington is pushing for a permanent extension of the moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions, while India has called for reconsideration due to concerns over lost tariff revenue. New Delhi has also opposed plurilateral agreements adopted by smaller groups of countries without full consensus, arguing that such moves could weaken the WTO’s rules-based framework.
Another major sticking point is India’s demand for a permanent solution on public stockholding programs that allow subsidies for food grains to support farmers and ensure food security. Agricultural exporters such as the U.S., European Union, and Australia worry such policies could distort global markets. Despite the deadlock, some officials described discussions as constructive, expressing cautious optimism that a reform roadmap could still emerge through continued negotiations.
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