WTO head Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala warned that the uncertainty generated by US President Trump's aggressive tariff policy could act as a brake on global growth, particularly harming the most vulnerable economies. The statement, reported amid rising economic uncertainty, positions the WTO in opposition to authoritarian-era unilateral trade measures.

The Biden administration has called on the World Trade Organization to curb subsidies for fishing vessels linked to forced labor practices, highlighting concerns over supply chain ethics and the exploitation of workers within the seafood industry. This push underscores criticism that the WTO has not yet taken meaningful action to address these human rights abuses in its trade policies.

A proposal from the USTR urges WTO members to address the use of forced labor on fishing vessels associated with harmful fisheries subsidies. The call highlights concerns over exploitative labor practices in global supply chains and pressures the intergovernmental organization to take action.