Piyush Goyal Ends WTO Visit With Bilateral Drive, Presses Global South Priorities

Side meetings signaled a push to advance EU, Canada and UK trade tracks despite unresolved debates on digital tariffs and investment rules.

Overview

Piyush Goyal, who wrapped up a four-day visit on Sunday, said India ensured the Global South’s priorities were heard at the WTO ministerial in Yaoundé.
He met WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and called for a balanced system that serves developing countries and least developed countries.
In talks with EU Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, both sides reviewed India–EU FTA progress and discussed WTO reform, the e‑commerce duty moratorium that bars tariffs on digital transmissions, and the investment facilitation pact.
A meeting with Canada’s trade minister Maninder Sidhu focused on speeding India–Canada CEPA talks, widening cooperation in areas like shipbuilding and education, and included an invitation for Goyal to visit Canada in May 2026 with a business delegation.
He also met UK trade chief Peter J. Kyle to review how the India–UK CETA signed in July 2025 is being put into effect, underscoring India’s bilateral push as key WTO issues such as digital duties and investment rules still await clear outcomes.