Overview

• China announced it will forgo the World Trade Organization’s special and differential treatment reserved for developing members.
• Chief negotiator Li Chenggang said the move backs the multilateral order and blamed a “certain country” for a tariff war that disrupted global trade.
• The SDT framework allows developing economies to levy higher tariffs or take longer to implement trade commitments.
• The declaration followed Premier Li Qiang’s remarks at the UN General Assembly and came days after a phone call between Xi Jinping and President Donald Trump.
• Reports provided no details on procedural steps at the WTO or responses from other members.