In Tokyo this week, WTO Director‑General Ngozi Okonjo‑Iweala spoke from the heart. She told Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba that Global free trade is in crisis and that today’s sudden tariff changes are shaking the world economy. She said these shifts make life harder for businesses, workers, and shoppers everywhere.
Okonjo‑Iweala believes Japan can help turn things around. She called on Japan, known for backing open markets, to work with other nations to rebuild trust. “We face tough times,” she said, “but we can use this crisis as a chance to update our rules and tap into fresh trade ideas.” Her message was clear: problems can become opportunities if leaders act together.
Later, she met with Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya. Together they released a statement stressing that “in uncertain times, a strong multilateral system is priceless.” They warned that ongoing trade fights could harm not just one region but the entire global network of buyers and sellers. They urged quick reforms, including clearer rules, faster ways to solve arguments, and better ways to watch over promises that all countries make.
The meeting came just after the United States and China agreed to pause their recent high tariffs for 90 days. That temporary truce shows that even big rivals can find common ground if they choose to negotiate. Yet many countries, including Japan, still have no final deal on U.S. duties for cars, steel, and aluminum.
Over the past few decades, the WTO helped break down walls that kept goods stuck at borders. This work allowed factories in Japan, China, and beyond to join global supply chains. But with new barriers on the rise, the gains of free trade risk slipping away.
Meeting with Finance Minister Katsunobu Kato and Industry Minister Yoji Muto, Okonjo‑Iweala repeated one simple fact: Global free trade is in crisis, and fixing it requires teamwork. As she wrapped up her visit, she reminded everyone that unless we act now, the headaches from higher prices to lost jobs will only grow.
In her final words, she made one last call to action: let’s unite, reform the WTO, and make sure the benefits of trade reach people everywhere. Global free trade is in crisis, but with shared effort, it can emerge stronger than before.
SKJ