The World Trade Organization

At the core of U.S. trade policy is a steadfast support of the rules-based multilateral trading system.

Working through the World Trade Organization (WTO), the United States is a world leader in securing the reduction of trade barriers in order to expand global economic opportunity, to raise standards of living, and to reduce poverty. The WTO Agreements also provide the foundation for high-standard U.S. bilateral and regional agreements that contribute to a dynamic and open global trading system based on the rule of law.

On a day-to-day basis, the WTO provides opportunities for U.S. interests to be advanced through more than 20 standing Committees (not including numerous additional Working Groups, Working Parties, and Negotiating Bodies). These groups meet regularly to allow Members to exchange views, to work to resolve questions of compliance with commitments, and to work to improve our global trading system.