Let's talk trade by WTO

Larger economies and businesses may already be finding their way to absorb the shocks of the supply chain crisis, but that is less the case for smaller players. We throw the spotlight on developing countries and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises who find themselves bypassed by major trade arteries and at risk of being priced out of the markets. The episode features Sebastiano Iorio of Cargo Compass SA, Sushant Palakurthi Rao of Agility, Kanwar Usman of the International Cotton Advisory Committee, and soundbites from Mohammadi Group's Rubana Huq. WTO's head of the Development Policy Unit, Raúl Torres, provides the analysis.

We hold up a mirror to another important link in the supply chain: us, the consumers. How have our shopping habits changed during the pandemic and will we see lasting effects on trade, thanks in part to technology? The episode features Jessica Moulton, Senior Partner at McKinsey & Company, Sushant Palakurthi Rao of Agility, three stories of consumer woes, and soundbites from the WTO Global Supply Chain Forum. WTO Senior Analyst Emmanuelle Ganne provides key insights.

Whether by air, road, or sea, in this episode we hear how all these trade channels had their share of disruptions as part of the global supply chain crisis. The episode features Lars Mikael Jensen of Maersk, Clemence Cheng of Hutchison Ports, Matthias Maedge of the World Road Transport Organisation, and Carlos Grau Tanner of the Global Express Association. WTO Counsellor Nora Neufeld provides the analysis.

The factory floor is our first stop on this journey tracing the flow of goods along global supply chains. How were manufacturers affected by recent disruptions and how are they adapting to a multi-crisis reality? We hear from Joachim Damasky of the German Association of the Automotive Industry, Arthur Tan of Integrated Microelectronics, Inc. and Trevor Gunn of Medtronic. WTO Senior Economist Coleman Nee provides the analysis.

They say a good supply chain is one you never talk about because it just works. However, it's become a household phrase during the pandemic. WTO Chief Economist Robert Koopman provides a big picture view of how we got here and what the next wave of disruptions could look like. With soundbites from Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Bud Darr of MSC, and Matthias Maedge of the International Road Transport Union.

A recap of the Ministerial Conferences in Geneva (2011), Bali (2013), Nairobi (2015) and Buenos Aires (2017). Stories by Aegyoung Jung, Dan Pruzin, Nora Neufeld, Stefania Bernabè, Victor do Prado.

Stories from the Ministerial Conferences in Doha (2001), Cancún (2003), Hong Kong (2005) and Geneva (2009). Told by Bernie Kuiten, Dan Pruzin, Edwini Kessie, Emmanuelle Ganne, Keith Rockwell, Nora Neufeld, Peter Pedersen, and Willy Alfaro.

We look back at the first three ministerial conferences held in Singapore (1996), Geneva (1998) and Seattle (1999). With stories from Anabel González, Bernie Kuiten, and Keith Rockwell.

After facing many obstacles to set up her own business in Kenya, Farhia decided to create a training company to help young entrepreneurs navigate these obstacles. Faced with COVID-19 disruptions, she found creative ways to keep going – also reaching new clients abroad. The WTO’s Public Forum Coordinator Vonai Muyambo talks about youth and trade, and the lessons of this year’s event.

As demand for medical products rose with the COVID-19 pandemic, Sören from Austria adapted the plastic recycling machine invented by him and his friends to produce face shields – also for export. Simon Neumueller from the WTO discusses how trade in medical products has adapted with the pandemic. Hosted by WTO’s Daniel Ramos, who discusses sustainability in trade.

Oumar had a successful exporting business from Mali to North America. Disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic made him rethink his business model, and focus on intra-African trade. Annette Ssemuwemba from the Enhanced Integrated Framework discusses how the poorest countries have been affected by COVID-19.

As the Brazilian cosmetics company where Rafaela worked took advantage of the COVID-19 pandemic to strengthen their online business, they also took the bold step to enter new markets overseas. She tells us about the process to register these products abroad. WTO’s Devin McDaniels discusses the importance of trade in safe products.

Maheen’s in-person tutoring business in Pakistan was put in jeopardy by COVID-19 lockdowns. By shifting her business online, she was able to reach new customers abroad. WTO’s Antonia Carzaniga talks about trade in services during the pandemic.

As the COVID-19 pandemic forced Josefina from Mexico to close her physical shop, e-commerce gave her hammock business a new lifeline. WTO’s Kathryn Lundquist talks about the effect of the pandemic for smaller business.

Coming soon: Let's Talk Trade, a podcast by the World Trade Organization.