Switzerland has raised concerns over the future of the World Trade Organization (WTO), warning that changes in U.S. trade policy could undermine global commerce.

State Secretary for Economic Affairs Helene Budliger Artieda said the Swiss government was “concerned” about developments that could weaken core WTO principles. She was speaking on Friday in an interview with Keystone-ATS on the sidelines of the organisation’s ministerial meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon.

Budliger Artieda confirmed that Switzerland had held a brief exchange with United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, but declined to disclose details. The discussion comes amid growing scrutiny of Washington’s approach to multilateral trade commitments.

At the centre of Switzerland’s concerns is the Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) principle, a cornerstone of WTO rules that requires member states to extend any trade advantage granted to one partner to all others. The rule is designed to prevent discrimination and ensure predictability in global trade.

Washington has called for a fundamental rethink of the MFN system, arguing that it has become a “straitjacket” that “cements the status quo and enables free riding,” according to Business Standard.

For Switzerland, the economic stakes are significant. Data from the World Integrated Trade Solution (WITS) show that exports of goods and services account for about 73% of its gross domestic product, making stable and predictable trade rules a direct economic priority.

Budliger Artieda said the WTO remains central to maintaining global trade standards, particularly for smaller economies that rely on rules-based systems to access international markets. She warned that weakening these frameworks could disproportionately affect countries dependent on stable export conditions and effective dispute resolution.

Reform agenda amid rising protectionism

The intervention comes as WTO members face increasing protectionist measures and seek to update trade rules to reflect digital commerce and evolving supply chains.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said at the opening ceremony in Yaounde that the global trading system is experiencing the “worst disruptions in the past 80 years.”

The ministerial meeting, which brings together representatives from more than 160 countries, is seen as a key opportunity to address divisions over trade rules and restore confidence in the multilateral system.

Switzerland reiterated its support for reforms aimed at strengthening the WTO and preserving a rules-based global trading order.