The WTO Ministerial Conference, which is a member of 164 countries and regions worldwide, was held in Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina, this time from the 10th to the 13th this month, from Japan, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry I will attend.

In the WTO, trade liberalization negotiations, "Doha Round" that began in 2001, have been in a stalemate without significant progress in confrontation between developed countries and developing countries. Under these circumstances, this time, Japan decides to set up a working group, etc. at the WTO to start negotiations for the creation of e-commerce rules newly.

Also, focusing on maintaining the framework of the WTO as the American Trump regime raises its own first principle and clears its stance to prioritize bilateral trade negotiations It is one of them. For this reason, adjustments are being made in the direction of exchange of opinions in Japan, the United States, and the EU = European Union over the way of negotiations in the future according to this meeting.

In relation to this, Minister of International Trade and Industry said at a press conference on August 8, "I would like to play a role as a bridge between countries with different opinions in order to lead the Ministerial Conference to success." However, the WTO Ministerial Conference, which requires unanimity, is in a situation where there is continuing difference in position among developed countries and developing countries, and it is uncertain as to whether we can achieve great results again this time.