EU: A New WTO? Von der Leyen's Bold Play

Madni Laghari
Jul 2
4 min read

EU’s big WTO rethink: Could CPTPP ties be the start of a new global trade order?

Customs, trade compliance, and export professionals—listen up. At the recent June 2025 EU summit, Ursula von der Leyen took a bold step that could reshape the way we understand global trade rules, import regulations, and export controls. If you’re involved in international trade between the EU, UK, USA, or Asia, this new move should be on your radar.

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Key Questions Covered in This Blog

What is Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to reform the WTO?
Why is CPTPP central to her plan?
What does this mean for trade compliance, customs, and export professionals?
Will the USA participate in the new trade initiative?
What are the implications for EU, UK, and global import/export rules?
How does this initiative compare with existing WTO mechanisms like MPIA?

Abbreviations Used In This Blog

WTO – World Trade Organization
CPTPP – Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership
MPIA – Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Arrangement
EU – European Union
UK – United Kingdom
USA – United States of America

"If the WTO is stuck in neutral, then it's time to shift gears and build new roads—roads that customs and compliance officers must be ready to drive on."“Arne Mielken, Managing Director, Customs Manager”

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What is Ursula von der Leyen’s proposal to reform the WTO?

In Brussels, President Ursula von der Leyen laid the groundwork for a bold new trade framework. Her vision? Not just patching up the WTO but possibly replacing it, starting with a Europe-led initiative to forge deeper trade links with Asia-Pacific countries. Fed up with the stalemate in Geneva, she positioned this as the beginning of a new global architecture based on rules-based trade.

Von der Leyen openly acknowledged the WTO’s institutional paralysis. The Dispute Settlement Body—its core enforcement tool—has been dysfunctional since 2019. With no clear reform path in sight, she sees this as a moment of opportunity: If the old house can’t be renovated, perhaps it’s time to build a new one.

Why is CPTPP central to her plan?

Von der Leyen singled out the CPTPP, a major Asia-Pacific trade bloc, as the EU’s ideal partner for this initiative. Think of CPTPP as the Pacific’s answer to the EU Single Market—a modern trade agreement with 11 nations (including Japan, Canada, Australia, and the UK). The EU sees this group as a like-minded coalition ready to embrace enforceable standards, fair market access, and compliance-driven customs procedures.

It’s strategic too. With the USA out, the EU can lead without competition. This move isn’t about isolation; it’s about choosing dynamic, rules-based partners over entrenched WTO dysfunction.

What does this mean for trade compliance, customs, and export professionals?

This is no ivory-tower geopolitics—it’s practical and immediate. If this new structure takes shape, customs professionals, compliance officers, and export managers must prepare for:

New documentation standards, digitised compliance tools, and harmonised customs procedures beyond the current WTO playbook.

Expect stricter enforcement mechanisms, accelerated customs cooperation, and the chance to benefit from clearer trade lanes with CPTPP members. But with that comes higher expectations: due diligence, audit-readiness, and risk-based controls must be tightened.

Will the USA participate in the new trade initiative?

Not likely—at least for now. Von der Leyen was clear: the United States left the CPTPP, and there’s no signal of re-entry. Washington’s long-standing issues with multilateral trade deals and its role in WTO’s breakdown show no sign of reversal. That gives the EU room to lead, but it also means U.S. companies might end up on the outside looking in.

For transatlantic traders, this raises flags: supply chains relying on U.S.-EU equivalence may face divergence. Trade compliance teams should map risks where CPTPP-EU rules might conflict with U.S. standards.

What are the implications for EU, UK, and global import/export rules?

If the EU forges stronger ties with CPTPP, we’ll likely see a shift in customs procedures, rules of origin, and digital compliance frameworks. The UK, as a CPTPP member, is uniquely positioned to act as a bridge—but also risks getting squeezed if it can’t keep up with evolving EU-CPTPP protocols.

Exporters and importers should start benchmarking their documentation, tracing origin rules, and upgrading digital customs tools. This is not just a ‘policy debate’—it’s the new normal knocking at your door.

How does this initiative compare with existing WTO mechanisms like MPIA?

The MPIA is a band-aid, not a cure. It covers just over half of global trade and doesn’t address the WTO’s deeper flaws: its slow consensus-driven negotiations, enforcement paralysis, and inability to modernise.

Von der Leyen’s initiative is different: proactive, not reactive. It’s not just about appeals, but about building an entirely new structure with partners who are ready to act. For compliance officers, this could mean operating under dual or parallel systems for some time—but also benefiting from faster, more predictable trade dispute resolutions.

Arne’s Takeaway

We may be witnessing the dawn of a post-WTO trade era. The EU’s engagement with CPTPP could set the tone for next-generation trade rules, faster customs clearance, and streamlined export compliance. Don’t wait—start aligning your operations with CPTPP-style customs norms.

Expert Recommendations

Conduct a trade lane analysis: Are you moving goods across CPTPP markets? Start mapping customs processes and compliance risks now.
Review and update your Rules of Origin knowledge. CPTPP requirements can differ.
Subscribe to our Premium content for updates and compliance checklists tailored to your industry.

Sources & Further Information

News Article
www.customsmanager.info for ongoing coverage and training updates

Disclaimer

This blog is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. For specific compliance questions, consult with a qualified customs consultant or trade attorney.