Why the WTO Is Struggling to Adapt

Why the WTO Is Struggling to Adapt

From Foreign Press Podcast by Foreign Press USA

April 21, 2026 · 49 min

About this episode

The episode discusses the challenges faced by the World Trade Organization in adapting to a changing global economy.

In our latest episode, AFPC-USA explores why the World Trade Organization is struggling to adapt to a rapidly changing global economy. Host Roseanne Gerin sits down with Keith Rockwell, Senior Research Fellow at the Hinrich Foundation and former longtime WTO spokesman. Drawing on his latest white paper , Rockwell argues the WTO is at an existential turning point. He explains how core principles like most-favoured-nation treatment and consensus decision-making are increasingly under strain. The conversation examines why incremental reforms may fall short of saving the institution in addition to the rise of alternative trade frameworks outside the WTO. This podcast episode was produced in partnership with the Hinrich Foundation . AFPC-USA is solely responsible for the content of this episode.

People in this episode

Host: Roseanne Gerin

Guest: Keith Rockwell

Topics covered

  • World Trade Organization
  • global economy
  • trade frameworks
  • reforms
  • international trade

Keywords

  • WTO
  • trade
  • global economy
  • reforms
  • Hinrich Foundation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Hinrich Foundation, World Trade Organization, AFPC-USA

More episodes of Foreign Press Podcast

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Foreign Press Podcast podcast page.