WTO: Divide deepens over reform, agriculture, erosion of consensus principle (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
Several developing and least-developed countries - including Brazil, Bangladesh, Antigua and Barbuda, India, and Indonesia - on 12 December appear to have cautioned against the seemingly heavy-handed approach adopted by the WTO's leadership in pushing their respective priorities under the proverbial carpet, said people familiar with the development.

Trade: WTO leadership aligns on strategy as outcome document in doubt (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The chair of the World Trade Organization's General Council (GC) on 12 December said that he "wholeheartedly" endorses the work done by the facilitator overseeing the discussions on WTO reform, while casting doubt on negotiating an "outcome document" for the WTO's 14th ministerial conference (MC14), to be held in Yaounde, Cameroon, on 26-29 March 2026.

WTO: Reform facilitator's report sparks alarm as key issues left off the table (PRIV)
(D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva)
The facilitator overseeing the discussions on the reform of the World Trade Organization on 12 December conceded that by focusing on three issues - "decision-making, development and S&DT, and level playing field issues", several key issues seemingly remain untouched, said people familiar with the development.