Rethinking developing country status at the World Trade Organization (WTO) is essential for the institution’s modernization and survival. The Trump administration has recognized this challenge and is seeking changes to the flexibilities provided to developing countries. Referred to as “special and differential treatment” (SDT), 183 provisions in the WTO agreements give developing countries special rights. A new paper from Cato scholars James Bacchus and Inu Manak argues that a new method is needed that will approach SDT within the context of its capacity to further development.

Eliminating trade barriers is essential to the task of containing the COVID-19 pandemic and minimizing its human and economic costs. Yet dozens of governments have imposed restrictions on exports, and others appear to be taking steps toward “repatriating” medical supply chains to achieve self‐​sufficiency in critical items. Please join us on April 15 for a conversation about the strategic stockpiling of medical supplies, the easing of regulatory restrictions through mutual recognition, and fresh approaches to encouraging medical innovation can all play important roles in the effort to rein in the crisis.