The WTO in Uncertain Times. A Transatlantic Partnership for Reform?
Channel: Aspen Institute Germany
Date: 2021-12-15

The World Trade Organization (WTO) has been dealing with a number of systemic challenges which require meaningful progress on crucial issues, including responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, reforming the dispute settlement system, disciplining harmful fisheries subsidies, updating trade rules for the transitions to digital and green economies, and tackling market-distorting policies and practices. 
Against the backdrop of growing commercial and trade tensions between the U.S. and China, bringing strategic thinking back into the transatlantic economic relationship to develop a renewed narrative, strategy and vision for the resolution of today’s problems is imperative. 
What are the key issues that the WTO and its members should prioritize in the future? The Aspen Institute Germany and the Bretton Woods Committee jointly hosted a panel discussion on December 13th from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. CET. The panel comprised of Anabel Gonzalez, Deputy Director General, WTO; Claudia Schmucker, Head of the Geo-Economic Program, DGAP; Ignacio Garcia Bercero, Director Multilateral Affairs, Strategy and Economic Analysis, DG Trade, EU Commission; and Jeff Schott Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics. They analyzed the priorities and future deliverables for the organization during this critical time for global trade and for the transatlantic relationship. Dr. Stormy-Annika Mildner, Executive Director of Aspen Germany, moderated the Webinar.