WTO Deputy DG Backs Trade Diversification Over Decoupling Amid Global Supply Crises

World Trade Organization Deputy Director-General Anabel Gonzalez touted the need for "trade diversification, not decoupling" in the face of COVID-19 pandemic- and geopolitical-related supply chain disruptions, the WTO said. Speaking at the Global Solutions Summit on March 28, Gonzalez attempted to jolt some confidence back into the multilateral trading system by discussing imports as a tool to absorb shocks to global supply chains. A further tool is the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement that certain WTO members have made great strides in implementing, "but more efforts are needed to fully enjoy its benefits," she said.