The United Kingdom has retaken her independent seat at the World Trade Organization after formerly being represented by the European Union since the WTO was founded in 1995.
The UK’s ambassador, Julian Braithwaite, gave the country’s first independent speech after the country left the bloc on Friday, pledging to fix the WTO.
“The United Kingdom has long been a strong believer in the role of the multilateral trading system to unlock growth, reduce poverty and open markets for least-developed, developed and developing countries alike.
“The stability and predictability of this system remains vital to all of us, and the United Kingdom is committed to supporting the international institution that underpins it. There are big challenges facing the WTO today. It is important that these are addressed, and the United Kingdom will play its part in doing so,” Mr Braithwaite said in comments reported by the i newspaper.