WT/MIN(17)/ST/8  
 
13 December 2017  
(17-6883) Page: 1/2 
Ministerial Conference  
Eleventh Session  
Buenos Aires, 10 -13 December 2017  Original: English  
 
 
STATEMENT BY MS. CECILIA MALMSTRÖM  
COMMISSIONER FOR TRA DE 
EUROPEAN UNION  
The successes of our last two Ministerial Conferences brought some optimism that despite 
significant differences  of views among its Members, the WTO is still capable of delivering important 
negotiated outcomes. One could also detect certain openness for more pragmatism going forward. 
Unfortunately however, we start this year's Ministerial Conference with more questi ons than 
answers, and little sense of concrete progress over the past two years. The system is being 
challenged, Members show insufficient collective ownership and are divided on key questions such 
as what the WTO should be doing. And there are growing cal ls for conducting business outside the 
multilateral setting.  
 
In this context, MC11 provides us with a pivotal opportunity to discuss what we collectively want 
from the WTO, and to provide political guidance for achieving it. We need to break out of the 
logjam that has prevented this organisation from playing the part it should in global trade. This 
has to be done through a concerted effort of WTO Members.  
 
The problems are many but essentially boil down to one fundamental issue: an inability to discuss 
issues of concern to Members and to agree on a suitable way forward. This has manifested itself 
with procedural blockages on topics which are indisputably critical for today's global trade, and a 
futile discussion regarding the existence or not of a mandate. The problem is systemic and is 
beginning to jeopardise the entire organisation.  
 
We clearly have a lot of unfinished business that must be addressed. But at the same time, we 
cannot close our eyes to the fact that there are issues in the broader trade worl d that need to be 
discussed, such as e -commerce, services or the concerns of SMEs. And we must seriously address 
legitimate development requests of a large part of the Membership. It is essential that we have 
candid political discussions on these topics he re at MC11. This is 2017  – we need to show that the 
WTO can answer to modern claims and expectations.  
 
However, discussion for the sake of discussion will only get us so far. We need to have a clear 
objective in mind. For the European Union this is clear: to preserve and strengthen the rules based 
multilateral trading system. For it to thrive, it has to develop. For it to develop, it needs to address 
the concerns of its Members. Failing this, it will wither. This would be to detriment of everyone, but 
most of all the poorest developing countries.  
 
Shoring up the WTO requires three things from MC11. First, concrete decisions on issues such as 
fisheries subsidies with clear rules regarding certain egregious types of subsidies. Second, 
decisions on a clear path  forward for issues such as e -commerce, domestic regulation in services 
and SMEs, which are key for global trade. Third, a clearer sense of the most effective ways for the 
WTO to support development. Our work in the WTO also needs to be underpinned by a re newed 
commitment to transparency.  
 
I am disappointed that despite intense work and discussions over the last two years, we arrive in 
Buenos Aires with so many issues open. The EU made a strong effort to help advance on key 
issues. We regret that progress o n domestic support in agriculture and on some other issues has 
not been possible. We do hope to achieve some concrete outcomes, but the risk of failure is real. I WT/MIN(17)/ST/8  
 
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  hope Members here will show leadership. We will work with our Argentinian hosts to deliver as  
successful a Ministerial Conference as possible.  
 
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