The WTO could only be established through a series of compromises, but not all of these “deals” proved to be sustainable. For example, the TRIPS Agreement on patent protection was accepted by many developing countries as part of a comprehensive negotiation package that promised, among other things, better market access in industrialized countries. However, these expectations were not fully met, leading to tensions and calls for reform. It is therefore crucial for negotiators not only to make short-term compromises, but also to ensure long-term stability. Negotiation packages should be strategically designed to ensure the fairest possible balance of interests. Where possible, win-win solutions are more sustainable than purely political stopgap measures that later give rise to conflicts.

During the Uruguay Round, industrialized nations dominated the negotiations, while developing countries were often put under pressure. It was only when developing countries organized themselves into groups such as the G77 and emerging economies took on a greater role in negotiating forums such as the G20 that they were able to significantly increase their negotiating power. For negotiators operating from a weaker position, it can therefore be crucial to form alliances. Strategic networking with other actors strengthens influence and increases the chances of asserting one’s own interests. In multilateral negotiations, forming the right coalition can often be the deciding factor for successful outcomes.

The establishment of the WTO was a diplomatic success, but its long-term acceptance suffered from a lack of social legitimacy. Issues such as labor rights, environmental protection, and social justice were hardly addressed in the WTO agreements, which later led to massive protests (for example, during the Ministerial Conference in Seattle in 1999). Another problem was evident in the functioning of the WTO dispute settlement system, which has become increasingly incapacitated since 2018 due to the US blockade on the appointment of new judges, making it difficult to enforce international trade rules. The lesson here is clear: an agreement is only as effective as its political support and institutional implementation mechanisms. Negotiators should involve social and political actors at an early stage and ensure that agreements reached can also be enforced.