China will remain a developing country at the World Trade Organization (WTO). However, it will no longer request Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) in future deals. Officials at China’s WTO mission in Geneva confirmed the change. They said it applies only to new agreements and does not affect China’s overall developing nation status.
Li Yihong, Chargée d’Affaires at China’s permanent WTO mission, said China stays a developing country and a key member of the global south. She added that this decision shows China’s commitment to the multilateral trading system and supports WTO reforms.
Premier Li Qiang announced the move during a meeting alongside the United Nations General Assembly in New York. In the past, China accessed SDT benefits like higher tariffs and subsidies, similar to countries such as Saudi Arabia.
The United States has urged China to give up these benefits entirely. U.S. officials say major economies must take this step to enable meaningful WTO reforms. Chinese officials clarified that China will not seek SDT in new agreements but will keep its developing country status and active WTO participation.
