WT/MIN(17)/77  
 
14 February 2018  
(18-0984) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017    
 
STATEMENT BY H.E. MR MICHEL TEMER  
PRESIDENT OF THE FED ERATIVE  REPUBLIC OF BRAZIL1 
MC11 OPENING SESSION  – 10 DECEMBER 2017  
At the outset, I would like to express how great a satisfaction it is for me to visit Buenos Aires for 
this opening ceremony of the Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization.  
 
Naturally, I also thank President Mauricio Macri and the Argentine  people for the traditionally warm 
reception with which we have always been greeted in this beautiful country.   
 
I made a point of accepting President Macri's invitation, so that we, the leaders attending this 
conference, could convey an unequivocal messa ge in favour  of openness, dialogue and the 
strengthening of the multilateral trading system, as various statements made clear today.  
 
Over the decades, we have built a multilateral trading system which has already proved its value. 
A system which has been essential to facilitate and expand trade and investment flows. A system 
that, in decisive moments, is capable of containing protectionist tendencies. Finally, a system 
which is a source of legal certainty and a framework for the settlement of trade dispute s. Today, 
more than ever, we must preserve and value this system.  
 
Trade and investment generate growth, jobs and prosperity. History has taught us that isolation is 
not a solution. It is illusory to think that protectionism can be a sustainable path to de velopment 
or for the well -being of peoples. When we turn inward, we deprive ourselves of new technologies, 
ideas and possibilities. The real driver of development and well -being is more integration. And it is 
for the sake of more integration that we suppor t the World Trade Organization.  
 
Only this O rganization can promote balanced and comprehensive progress in some central issues 
for international trade. This is the case of new issues in the World Trade Organization, such as the 
digital economy, investment  facilitation and micro, small and medium -sized enterprises. But this is 
also the case with regard to traditional topics of extreme importance, such as agricultural trade – 
an unfinished agenda that remains urgent.  
 
Brazil has overcome its recent recessio n. Our economy is recovering, jobs are being created and 
industrial production is rising. Interest rates fell to its lowest historical level. Inflation is also at its 
lowest point in many years. We are pressing ahead with an ambitious reform agenda for the  
modernization of Brazil – which involves, by necessity, a deeper and better integration in the world 
economy.  
 
With our Mercosul partners, we have restored the original free trade spirit in the bloc. We have 
made progress in negotiations with important tr ading partners – always having the WTO legal 
framework as a reference.  
 
We need a strong WTO, one that continues to fulfill its mission.  
 
                                                
1 This is an unofficial translation of the statement which was delivered in Portuguese.  WT/MIN(17)/77  
 
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  I am confident that under the leadership of Minister Susana Malcorra and that of the Director -
General, my compatriot Roberto Azevêdo, our negotiators will work towards the success of this 
Conference and, as a consequence, in favor of the multilateral tradi ng system.  
 
You can count on Brazil.  
__________