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Azevedo, speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an informal
meeting of about 50 WTO members in New Delhi, said the global
trade environment was quite risky and the trade body had sought
an "open and honest" conversation with its members.
"This is a moment we are facing many challenges inside and
outside WTO," he said.
The meeting is the first time WTO members have gathered since
President Donald Trump's announcement last week of a 25 percent
tariff on U.S. imports of steel and 10 percent on aluminum.
Dennis Shea, Deputy United States Trade Representative, is
attending the New Delhi meeting.
Azevedo said Washington maintained that global trade had changed
since the WTO, which deals with the global rules of trade
between nations, was set up in 1995.
"The U.S. wants some upgrade and reforms (in the WTO) and the
conversations with the U.S. are going on," he said.
A senior Indian government official said all trade related
issues, including the U.S. decision to hike tariffs on steel and
aluminum, would be discussed at the informal two-day WTO
meeting. The official gave no other details.
Even though the United States has declined to declare the
tariffs at the WTO, they can still come under its jurisdiction
if countries affected raise complaints.
(This version of the story corrects paragraph 5 to clarify
deputy USTR is attending the meeting)
(Reporting by Manoj Kumar; Writing by Raju Gopalakrishnan;
Editing by Malini Menon)
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