Is the World Trade Organization at a crossroads?

Date
February 18, 2026, 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM EST
Virtual Event
Cecilia Malmström (PIIE), Petros C. Mavroidis (Columbia Law School), Mona Paulsen (London School of Economics and Political Science Law School) and Victor do Prado (Brazilian Centre of International Relations)
Event Summary

Ministers from 166 countries will meet in March in Yaoundé, Cameroon, for the 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The meeting takes place at a time when multilateral organizations are under a lot of pressure and trade tensions are high. What are the prospects for reform at the meeting? Can there be a realistic path forward? What would it take to strengthen global trading rules?

HOST

Cecilia Malmström
Nonresident Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE)

GUESTS

Petros C. Mavroidis 
Edwin B. Parker Professor of Foreign and Comparative Law, Columbia Law School

Mona Paulsen 
Assistant Professor of Law, London School of Economics and Political Science Law School

Victor do Prado
Member, International Advisory Board, Brazilian Centre of International Relations (CEBRI); Former Director, Council and Trade Negotiations Committee, World Trade Organization

Video

Series

About This Series

Trade Winds explores the future of international trade—the challenges, possibilities, and where international efforts are headed—in a monthly virtual event series hosted by Cecilia Malmström. Join the discussion to learn from global policymakers, practitioners, business leaders from different sectors, experts, and more.