WTO Members and Taiwan Issue Joint Statement to Ukraine and Concern about Food Issues

At the WTO Ministerial Meeting held in Geneva, Switzerland on June 12, 56 WTO members including Taiwan, Japan, the United States, Germany and the European Union, issued a joint statement in solidarity with Ukraine, which has been invaded by Russia, and expressed their deep sorrow for the loss of life and suffering in Ukraine. Russia and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) did not join the statement.

The statement noted the devastating impact of the war, including on Ukraine’s economy and trade, and the massive damage to Ukraine’s transportation infrastructure, which has severely hampered Ukraine’s production, export and import capability.

The statement expressed serious concern about the impact of such destruction on Ukraine and global trade, particularly with regard to the supply of some of the major commodities produced in Ukraine to international markets, including agricultural products, foodstuffs, fertilizers, sunflower oil and key minerals. The ministers also expressed deep concern over the large number of reports of food plundering in Ukraine, saying that these actions are contrary to the principles and values of the WTO.

The ministers noted that the war has a huge impact food security and is not limited to Ukraine and its citizens. Ukraine is one of the largest exporters of major agricultural commodities such as wheat, corn, barley and sunflower oil, as well as a major supplier to the World Food Program. The impact of the war on Ukraine’s access to the Black Sea is seriously jeopardizing food supplies in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions, potentially exposing millions of people to food insecurity and exacerbating the dire situation of the CCP Virus.