WTO Chairholder at UIBE Prof. TU Xinquan and his team member Associate Prof. DU Yingxin, with doctoral graduate Assistant Prof. LOU Chengrong at Shandong Agricultural University, contribute to the World Trade Organization (WTO)’s first Publication on the links between trade and peace.

“Pathways to Sustainable Trade and Peace” is the first WTO publication dedicated to an in-depth exploration of the complex relationship between trade and peace. It is released in the High-Level Book Launch Session on 20 February 2025, of the 4th edition of Trade for Peace Week hosted by the WTO.

This landmark publication examines a number of critical questions. How do trade and peace interact? Can trade be leveraged to foster economic development and stability? What can governments and other stakeholders do to foster positive interaction between trade and peace? It presents case studies, insights, and lessons from fragile and conflict-affected regions, showcasing how trade can serve as a tool for peace and stability.

In Chapter 10 of the Publication, Xinquan Tu, Yingxin Du and Chengrong Lou undertake an econometric analysis of the effects of the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) on the promotion of peace in fragile economies. The analysis suggests that GSP preferences reduce the risk of conflict among receiving countries, although the positive effects could be augmented with higher utilization rates of the preferences, and if more agricultural products were eligible for the preferences.

Their research paper is selected from submitted proposals to a call for papers issued in 2021 for WTO Trade for Peace Programme. The Trade for Peace Programme aims to promote trade as a pathway to development and sustainable peace in fragile and conflict-affected states by highlighting the potential role of trade and economic integration in the peace, security and humanitarian fields. The Programme seeks to strengthen interdisciplinary insights into relationships between trade, peace, stability and shared prosperity. The call is being issued by the WTO’s Accessions Division, in partnership with the Economic Research and Statistics Division and the Knowledge and Information Management, Academic Outreach and WTO Chairs Programme.

The Publication is now available at https://www.wto.org/english/res_e/publications_e/pathways_sustainable_tfp_e.htm

WTO Official News Release https://www.wto.org/english/news_e/news25_e/publ_20feb25_e.htm