Trump’s Trade War Tactics Under Fire as WTO Chief Okonjo-Iweala Warns of Global Economic Fallout

 

In a bold and timely statement, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has issued a stark warning to global leaders — including former U.S. President Donald Trump — over the escalating tariff battles threatening the stability of the world economy.

Speaking on behalf of the WTO, Okonjo-Iweala decried the growing trend of protectionist policies and retaliatory tariffs that have resurged in recent years, cautioning that these actions are undermining the fragile global recovery and pushing international trade towards a dangerous tipping point.

Without directly naming individual countries, she made a clear reference to influential powers like the United States and China, whose ongoing trade spats have sent shockwaves through global supply chains, stifled business confidence, and increased the cost of living across continents. Her remarks, however, were notably pointed in light of Trump's previous trade policies and recent signals from his political camp indicating a possible return to similar strategies if re-elected.

According to the WTO chief, instead of fostering growth and competitiveness, these trade wars are fueling inflation, heightening geopolitical tension, and creating uncertainty for small economies that depend heavily on global trade frameworks.

“It’s not just about big economies flexing muscles,” she noted. “These ripple effects are hitting the most vulnerable countries hardest.”

As elections and leadership transitions loom in various parts of the world, Okonjo-Iweala’s warning serves as a critical reminder that trade policy decisions made in power corridors have far-reaching consequences — and the need for multilateral cooperation has never been more urgent.

With this call to action, the WTO is placing global leaders on notice: the era of zero-sum tariff politics must give way to inclusive, fair, and transparent trade systems — or risk long-term economic damage no country can afford.