Today, the WTO has 166 members and 23 member countries with observer status. Between them they account for 98% of world trade in goods & services. The global integration of economies has been a key driver of global GDP growth, but it has also introduced instabilities as the benefits of globalization have not been uniformly distributed across societies. As a result of this, there have been winners and losers at the global stage, leading to varying levels of economic prosperity. This disparity has sparked debates and movements advocating for more localized and protectionist economic policies which lead to barriers that can reverse certain elements of globalization. This has the potential of impacting the chemicals trade, with drastic ramifications for the GCC region, which is largely export-oriented.

To address these questions and more, GPCA has bought together two leading industry experts, Lisa Schroeter Senior Government Affairs Director, Dow | Member, GPCA International Trade Committee and John Mathew Vice President, Business Development Chemical Market Analytics by OPIS, a Dow Jones Company, in conversation with Mohamed Zaman Senior Committees Affairs Specialist, GPCA, who delve into the implications of deglobalization on trade. Drawing upon their extensive experience, they address:

- The challenges and opportunities in chemicals trade today