The United States' shift toward protectionist measures violates its commitments to the World Trade Organization (WTO), former WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy warned on Monday, calling on the international community to uphold and further strengthen the multilateral trading system.
In recent years, the U.S. has imposed sweeping tariffs and adopted aggressive trade policies to shield domestic industries.
In an interview with China Media Group in Paris, Lamy called for a level-headed response to such "protectionist fever".
"I think we should all look at this with a cool head, not indulge in whatever protectionist fever that is in the U.S. They behave in a way that is not compliant with the commitments they have taken to the WTO. We can improve the disciplines of world trade without the U.S.," he said.
Lamy also highlighted the significance of China's economic performance and innovation. In 2025, China's gross domestic product (GDP) reached 140 trillion yuan, a five percent annual increase.
Despite a slowdown from its previous double-digit expansion, this growth built upon a much larger economic base.
Lamy commended the world's second-largest economy for maintaining stable expansion and driving innovation.
Pointing to China's progress in digital and green technologies, he called on countries to welcome Chinese investment.
"China, five percent, of course, it's not the old 10 percent, but it's on the volume which is much higher than the 10 percent of 20 years ago. What China has invented and its level of innovation in digital, in green technologies, photovoltaics, in all these areas, is a very good thing, because it provides the rest of the world with relatively cheap and good quality, for instance, greening technologies. I personally believe that other countries and other markets should be open to Chinese investment," said the former WTO chief.
As the world economy faces lingering instability and rising trade costs, Lamy stressed that China's continued growth helps stabilize international market expectations and global trade. For Europe and the world, he said, strengthening economic ties with China and safeguarding multilateral trade are pragmatic steps toward greater global economic stability.
Former WTO chief urges world to resist US protectionism, uphold multilateralism
