Eleven Nations Unite to Reform the WTO for Fairer Global Trade
Eleven countries have renewed their push for major reforms within the World Trade Organization (WTO). Meeting as part of the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership, they stressed the need for a stronger, more predictable global trading system. Switzerland, heavily reliant on international supply chains, has been a leading voice in the initiative.
The FIT Partnership was established in September 2025 to unite small and medium-sized economies facing similar trade challenges. Members include Costa Rica, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Malaysia, New Zealand, Norway, Paraguay, Rwanda, Singapore, Uruguay, and Switzerland.
In their latest declaration, the group reaffirmed support for keeping tariffs on electronic transmissions suspended. This move aims to boost digital trade by preventing new barriers. They also called for improvements in the WTO's decision-making processes to make the organisation more effective. For Switzerland, a stable multilateral system is critical. The country's deep integration into global value chains means it depends on smooth, rule-based trade. The partnership's focus on reform aligns with its economic priorities.
The declaration highlights concrete steps to strengthen the WTO's operational capacity. By pushing for digital trade facilitation and procedural reforms, the FIT countries aim to create a more resilient trading environment. Their collective stance underscores the importance of cooperation among open economies.
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