China has requested WTO dispute consultations with India regarding certain Indian measures on solar cells, solar modules, and information technology goods. China said the measures in question include India's tariff treatment and certain measures that China said are contingent upon the use of domestic inputs and otherwise discriminate against Chinese imports. The request was circulated to WTO members on 23 December.
At a meeting of the Dispute Settlement Body (DSB) on 19 December, WTO members agreed to a request from the European Union for authorization to impose countermeasures on imported goods from the United States in line with a WTO arbitrator decision in the US-EU ripe olives dispute.
Chinese Taipei has requested WTO dispute consultations with Canada regarding Canadian measures imposing tariff rate quotas (TRQs) and surtax on imports of certain steel goods and a global duty on imports of certain steel derivative goods. The request was circulated to WTO members on 18 December.
WTO members considered possible deliverables for the organization's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) at a marathon three-day General Council meeting on 16-18 December. The membership discussed reports from the Director-General and the chairs and facilitators of various negotiations outlining their views on what issues they considered ripe for consideration at MC14. Those reporting stressed that all issues remained on the table for post-MC14 work regardless whether or not they are taken up at the ministerial conference.
WTO members considered possible deliverables for the organization's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) at a marathon three-day General Council meeting on 16-18 December. The membership discussed reports from the Director-General and the chairs and facilitators of various negotiations outlining their views on what issues they considered ripe for consideration at MC14. Those reporting stressed that all issues remained on the table for post-MC14 work regardless whether or not they are taken up at the ministerial conference.
The Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu (Chinese Taipei) has given USD 100,000 (just over CHF 80,000) to the WTO's Global Trust Fund for 2025 to finance technical assistance and training programmes for government officials from developing economies and least-developed countries (LDCs).
At the opening of a 16-17 December General Council meeting, WTO members elected H.E. Minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, Minister of Trade of Cameroon, as Chair of the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14). MC14 will take place in Yaoundé, Cameroon on 26-29 March 2026.
Global value chains (GVCs) have been resilient in the face of rising geopolitical tensions, financial uncertainty, climate pressures and the COVID-19 pandemic according to the GVC Development Report 2025 launched at the WTO on 15 December. Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said at the launch event that forward-thinking approaches are vital amid the ongoing shifts to ensure more people and economies are integrated into GVCs.
At a series of services meetings, held during the week of 9 December, the WTO Council for Trade in Services and its subsidiary bodies discussed green services, facilitating cross-border remittance transfers, and the classification of environmental services among other issues. Members also reviewed progress on efforts to help least developed countries (LDCs) participate more effectively in services trade and addressed various trade concerns raised by members.
At the 12 December meeting of the Trade Negotiations Committee (TNC), Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the chairs of negotiating bodies under the TNC reported on prospects for ministerial decisions at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), scheduled for 26-29 March in Yaoundé, Cameroon. DG Okonjo-Iweala, who chairs the TNC, underscored the importance of delivering a manageable and meaningful agenda for MC14.
On 11 December, the first National Forum dedicated to Ethiopia's WTO accession negotiations was held in Addis Ababa with the participation of senior Ethiopian government officials, representatives from the private sector and from the diplomatic community, and the WTO Secretariat. Underscoring the benefits of WTO membership to Ethiopia's trade and economic development, Ethiopia's Deputy Prime Minister Temesgen Tiruneh confirmed his government's commitment to completing the negotiations as soon as possible. The forum was entitled "Integrating Ethiopia, Transforming Trade".
Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala on 11 December praised the contributions of the 19 participants in the 2025 Young Professionals Programme at a farewell ceremony marking the conclusion of this year's programme.
The WTO Secretariat and the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) on 11 December released the findings of a joint survey on how businesses are adopting artificial intelligence (AI) to support trade-related activities. The survey — which gathered responses from 158 firms of varying sizes across diverse industries, regions and levels of economic development — highlights AI's potential to foster more inclusive participation in global trade and underscores the critical need to address gaps in AI adoption.
A two-day event in Nairobi on 10-11 December convened by the WTO Secretariat and partner organizations is allowing participants from the public and private sector to exchange views and examine how improved cooperation on standards can help remove barriers to trade and unlock Africa's export potential in the agricultural sector.
The second review of the trade policies and practices of Vanuatu takes place on 10 and 12 December 2025. The basis for the review is a report by the WTO Secretariat and a report by the Government of Vanuatu.
Thirty-four women-led businesses in the Dominican Republic have been selected as beneficiaries of the Women Exporters in the Digital Economy (WEIDE) Fund, which was launched by the WTO Secretariat and the International Trade Centre (ITC) in 2024. The announcement was made in Santo Domingo on 9 December, marking a significant step in expanding the WEIDE Fund’s implementation across beneficiary countries.
The Committee on Fisheries Subsidies held its first meeting on 9 December at the WTO, confirming the election of its first Chair, Ana Laura Lizano of Costa Rica. The role of the Committee will be to examine information submitted by WTO members on their fisheries subsidies-related notifications and to oversee the operation of the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies.
WTO members participating in the Trade and Environmental Sustainability Structured Discussions (TESSD) met on 8 December to advance work on a package of documents to be presented at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14), including summaries of technical work on various sustainability topics and a publication showcasing their work over the past five years. Members also discussed post-MC14 plans.
WTO members have injected renewed energy into the agricultural negotiations by tabling seven new submissions in the negotiating body on agriculture, the Special Session of the Committee on Agriculture, ahead of the organisation's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in March 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. At meetings of the body on 8 December, members emphasized that agriculture and food security remain priority issues and expressed their hope that convergence can be built around a credible outcome ahead of the upcoming Conference.
A ceremony held at WTO headquarters on 8 December marked the conclusion of the 2025 edition of three WTO technical assistance programmes - the French Irish Mission Programme (FIMiP), the Netherlands Talent Programme (NTP) and the Group Coordinators' Support Programme (GCSP). The programmes brought together 35 government officials from developing and least-developed WTO members and observers to strengthen their capacity to engage in the WTO's work.
