The International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) Secretary General John W.H. Denton AO called on business leaders to leverage their private sector experience towards world trade reform.
In a letter published in the Financial Times, Mr Denton argues that business must move beyond merely voicing concern over rising protectionism.
While “there is an imperative for business to stand behind the multilateral trading system”, companies should “focus on helping governments chart a new course for trade policymaking that deals meaningfully with the pressures now building in the global economy,” he writes.
This means offering ideas and solutions—based on real-world experience—for how the global trading system can be reformed to deal with contentious issues, from the conduct of state-owned enterprises to protecting intellectual property. Critical thought from business is also needed on how trade agreements can better support workers and consumers in the US and across the globe,
…ICC Sec-Gen notes.
As ICC wants to make sure that the users of the rules-based multilateral trading system have a say in the WTO reform process, it will be managing a soon-to-be-announced Dialogue Platform between multilateral organisations, businesses and think tanks.