JOHANNESBURG, April 10 (Xinhua) -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday called on the international community to strengthen the multilateral trading system that is under threat of unilateral and protectionist measures.

Ramaphosa made the remarks during a virtual address commemorating the 30th anniversary of the World Trade Organization (WTO), following U.S. President Donald Trump's announcement of a 90-day pause on his tariffs on imports from dozens of countries.

"The 30th anniversary of the establishment of the WTO takes place in challenging and uncertain times. We are seeing unilateral and protectionist measures being implemented by some advanced economies that are outside the agreed-upon multilateral framework," said the president.

It is incumbent for all countries to ensure the multilateral trading system is strengthened, Ramaphosa said. "The WTO is called upon to assert its role in ensuring that global trade works for all."

According to the president, over the past 30 years, the WTO has worked hard to ensure a level playing field in global trade that is free, predictable and governed by a rules-based system.

Developing countries that account for most of the WTO's membership remain locked into the lower end of global value chains and that has to change, Ramaphosa said.

"The WTO reform must be development-centric. Consensus-based decision-making in the organization must remain paramount. As South Africa, we wish the WTO well on this anniversary. Working together as the international community, let us continue our efforts to build a global trading system that is inclusive, equitable, and truly serves the needs of all nations," he said. Enditem

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