Ramaphosa against WTO's bluntness towards developing countries
President Cyril Ramaphosa was speaking at the 30th anniversary of the World Trade Organization (WTO), saying it was a good time to exert pressure on global institutions to level the playing field.
President Cyril Ramaphosa promulgated the full implementation of the Basic Education Laws Amendment (BELA) Act on 20 December 2024. Picture: Supplied
JOHANNESBURG - President Cyril Ramaphosa says the World Trade Organization (WTO) cannot continue to allow the snubbing of developing countries that he claims have the short end of the stick.
The renewed criticism comes as the global trade landscape is rapidly changing due to rising geopolitical tensions and advances in technology.
Ramaphosa was speaking at the 30th anniversary of the WTO, saying it was a good time to exert pressure on global institutions to level the playing field.
Formed in 1995, the WTO was established with global multilateral trade negotiations and rulemaking in mind.
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But over the years, some of the global organisation’s 166 members have been accused of circumventing trade rules for their own interests.
US President Donald Trump’s recent back-and-forth with import tariffs has been described by some analysts as a move to reset global trade ties.
Ramaphosa said the WTO cannot be a blunt tool for developing countries.
“Developing countries that account for most of the WTO’s membership remain locked into the lower end of global value chains.”
He added that WTO rules must facilitate structural transformation that integrates developing countries into global trade.