US trade chief Jamieson Greer sees only limited role for World Trade Organization after failed meeting in Cameroon

Reuters | March 31, 2026 | 07:22 AM IST | Breaking News, Business, World | Follow on Google News

US trade chief Jamieson Greer sees only limited role for World Trade Organization after failed meeting in Cameroon

WASHINGTON, March 30 (Reuters) – The World Trade Organization will play only a limited role in global trade policy after ​a failed ministerial meeting in Cameroon, U.S. Trade ‌Representative Jamieson Greer said on Monday, vowing to seek alternative arrangements s with like-minded countries.

Greer, said in a statement issued ​nearly 24 hours after the WTO meeting ended ​in impasse after an extension of an e-commerce ⁠moratorium was blocked by Brazil and Turkey, said ​he was “disappointed at the lack of seriousness” shown by ​many WTO member countries in embracing a broadly acceptable reform agenda.

“I have always been skeptical of the value of the WTO, ​and this week’s conference confirmed that this organization will ​play only a limited role in future global trade policy efforts,” ‌said ⁠Greer, who has been the architect of President Donald Trump’s multi-front tariff assault on global trading partners.

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Greer said that he was disappointed that the e-commerce moratorium ​on tariffs on ​digital transmissions ⁠had to lapse after being routinely extended for 28 years.

“Fortunately, the United States has ​secured commitments from dozens of countries — and ​nearly ⁠all of our major trading partners — not to impose tariffs on U.S. digital transmissions,” Greer added. “If the WTO ⁠cannot ​achieve this commonsense aim, the United ​States will work outside of the WTO with all interested partners to ​get it done.

Reuters