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The EU's activities

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is composed of governments and customs territories that establish, implement, and enforce global trade rules.

​Both the European Union (EU) and each individual EU country are members of the WTO.​

Main activities of the WTO

• Forum for trade negotiations (e.g. the Doha Development Round)
• Resolving trade disputes (Dispute Settlement)
• Setting legal trade rules through multilateral agreements
• Monitoring trade policy via the Trade Policy Review Mechanism​

The EU’s objectives at the WTO

1. Keep the global trading system fair, predictable, and based on common rules.
2. Modernise trade rules so European goods, services, and investments benefit.
3. Comply with WTO rules and ensure other members do the same.
4. Increase transparency by interacting with non-members and other international organisations.
5. Involve developing countries more closely in WTO decision-making and the global economy.
6. Support sustainable trade policies worldwide.

WTO reform ideas

​The European Commission has presented initial proposals to make WTO rules more relevant to the modern global economy. These focus on:
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1. Updating trade rules to reflect today's economic realities.
2. Enhancing the WTO’s monitoring role over its members’ trade policies.
3. Overcoming deadlock in the WTO’s dispute settlement system.

​Read more in the EU concept paper on WTO reform.

The EU in WTO institutions

• The WTO’s highest decision-making body is the Ministerial Conference, where the EU Trade Commissioner represents the EU.
• The European Commission also represents the EU in the General Council and in subsidiary bodies that address specific areas of trade (e.g. environment).

Permission and responsibility

• Negotiations: The Commission negotiates on behalf of the EU, with a mandate from the Council of the EU.
• Coordination: The Commission works with the Council’s trade policy committee to shape the EU’s position.
• Informing Parliament: The Commission regularly updates the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee (INTA) on WTO matters.
• Signing agreements: Once WTO agreements are concluded, the Commission needs formal authorisation from the Council and the European Parliament to sign on behalf of the EU.
• Dispute resolution: The Commission handles WTO complaints in consultation with the Council and can propose retaliatory measures where necessary.
• Stakeholder dialogue: The Commission also engages with civil society on WTO policy developments.