New Delhi, Mar 12 (KNN) A high-level event at the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva last week emphasised the need to integrate competition policy into global trade discussions to ensure that trade remains both free and fair.
Speaking at the event, Pradeep Mehta, Secretary General of CUTS International, underscored the urgency of advocating for free and fair trade, especially at a time when trade protectionism and domestic competition barriers are rising. “The onus lies on civil society and academia to champion these principles globally,” Mehta stated.
During the event, CUTS International released three key briefing papers. The first paper, titled “The Interaction between Competition and Industrial Policies,” examined how industrial policies can complement or hinder competition in different economic sectors.
The second paper, “Competition Issues in the Cloud Services Sector,” explored the growing dominance of tech giants in cloud computing and the regulatory challenges that arise.
The third paper, “Competition Advocacy for a Stronger Trade Ecosystem,” emphasised the need for policymakers and stakeholders to actively promote a culture of competition. These papers were well received and sparked insightful discussions among the attendees.
The event, titled “The Future of Competition & Trade in the Digital Economy,” was organized by the GW Competition & Innovation Lab, USA, in collaboration with the WTO on March 7, 2025.
The event featured prominent experts, including Frederic Jenny (OECD), William Kovacic (George Washington University), Eleanor Fox (New York University), Aurelien Portuese (GW Competition & Innovation Lab), Wangombe Karuiki (Kenya Competition Authority), Prof. Simon Roberts (WITS University, South Africa), and Teresa Moreira (UNCTAD, Geneva).
Their insights provided a comprehensive understanding of the current trade landscape and its challenges.
Panelists voiced concerns over the uncertain future of global trade and competition, highlighting the US-China trade war and geopolitical tensions as major disruptions.
They stressed that the increasing fragmentation of global markets could negatively impact economic growth and innovation, calling for collaborative efforts to counter these challenges.
As discussions progress, experts stressed the importance of continuous dialogue on embedding competition policy into the global trade framework, ensuring a fair and competitive marketplace for all.
(KNN Bureau)
