WTO report simulates three future scenarios: strengthening the multilateral framework could boost global exports by 17.9% by 2050.

On the 15th local time, the World Trade Organization released the "World Trade Report 2026," outlining three scenarios for the future of the global trading system. One scenario is strengthening the multilateral framework: compared with the baseline scenario, by 2050 global GDP is expected to grow by 2.9%, and global exports are expected to increase by 17.9%. This scenario envisions a world in which WTO rules are strengthened through the following means: expanding market-opening commitments, establishing new multilateral disciplines in digital trade and services, broadening membership, and building a balanced framework that can both keep trade open and accommodate security concerns. "Over the past 80 years, the multilateral trading system has brought enormous benefits and helped build a more integrated and more resilient global economy," said WTO Director-General Okonjo-Iweala. "Data show that about 72% of global goods trade still takes place under the WTO's 'most-favored-nation' principle; at the same time, WTO-led trade cooperation has strongly driven economic growth, narrowed the income gap between developing and developed economies, and promoted peace among members."