Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on July 23, 2025
2 min readLast updated: January 22, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleWTO reform efforts face setbacks as India, South Africa, and Turkey block an investment deal, challenging global trade consensus.
By Olivia Le Poidevin
GENEVA (Reuters) -The World Trade Organisation suffered a setback at its General Council meeting in Geneva on Wednesday after a small group of countries again blocked an initiative designed to boost foreign investment, two sources told Reuters.
The Investment Facilitation for Development, which aims to reduce bureaucratic hurdles to encourage foreign direct investment, particularly in developing and least-developed countries, was blocked by India, South Africa and Turkey, they said, asking to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the matter.
The WTO requires full consensus from all 166 members for a measure to be included in its formal rulebook. The measure has been formally backed by 127 members.
Trade sources described the latest block as a "disturbing" signal, as WTO members weigh sweeping reforms to revitalise the global trade body, which has been challenged by a wave of tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Proponents of reforms are pushing for changes to the consensus-based decision-making process in particular to stop countries from blocking measures and bogging down initiatives.
India, South Africa and Turkey were not immediately available for comment.
"The integration of the IFD into the WTO framework is a litmus test for members' willingness to turn reform discussions into practical action," a trade delegate told Reuters, describing it as disappointing.
The EU delegation told members that the IFD did not hurt anyone's interest and that blocking it would "endanger" the multilateral trade system, according to a statement seen by Reuters.
India and South Africa previously opposed the inclusion of the measure at high-level meetings, including the 2025 ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi, where it failed to gain consensus.
Keith Rockwell, a trade analyst at the Hinrich Foundation and former WTO communications director, told Reuters that India's continued obstruction of the IFD agreement is partly a tactic to gain leverage on food security negotiations.
"It signals very difficult times ahead for reform in other areas," he added.
(Reporting by Olivia Le Poidevin; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
Foreign investment refers to the investment made by individuals or entities in one country in assets or businesses located in another country, often to gain a financial return.
The Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) is an initiative aimed at reducing bureaucratic hurdles to encourage foreign direct investment, particularly in developing countries.
Trade reforms are changes made to trade policies and regulations to enhance trade efficiency, promote economic growth, and improve the overall trade environment.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) is an investment made by a company or individual in one country in business interests in another country, typically involving significant control over the foreign business.
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