Ateneo Law and Liberty Circle hosts talk on the World Trade Organization by Amb Manuel Antonio J Teehankee

The Ateneo Law and Liberty Circle hosted a talk on the all-important topic of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on 8 November 2024 at the Ateneo Law School. The guest speaker was no less than Ambassador Manuel Antonio J Teehankee, the Permanent Representative of the Philippines to the WTO.

 

 

 

Ambassador Teehankee addressed the WTO’s evolving challenges and its impact on the Philippines, amidst shifting global trade dynamics. His presentation covered the WTO's history, its core functions, and the critical issues now confronting the organization.

Ambassador Teehankee noted that the WTO faces significant hurdles in today’s complex trade environment. He shared recent outcomes from the WTO’s Ministerial Conference, which focused on achieving progress in areas where consensus had been elusive.

He noted that the Philippines has seen strong growth in trade since joining the WTO. Major exports, such as electronics, benefit from agreements like the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), which has lowered tariffs on semiconductor products.

Ambassador Teehankee concluded by affirming the WTO’s critical role in facilitating international trade and promoting dialogue amid rising geopolitical tensions. He stressed the need for inclusivity in global trade, particularly for developing nations, to ensure that the benefits of globalization are widely shared.