Ralph Ossa
@OssaRalph
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Professor of Economics | University of Zurich
Joined October 2022
This new @wto blog, co-authored just before I left the organization, looks at what trade policy can - and cannot - do to address trade imbalances:
wto.org
Trade imbalances have long been a concern for policymakers, prompting calls for corrective trade measures. Recent tariff actions — framed in part as efforts to reduce bilateral deficits — fit this...
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As of today, I have returned to the University of Zurich as the UBS Foundation Professor of Economics. I am grateful to UZH for their support during my time at the WTO and look forward to this new chapter in Zurich. #UZH #EconomicsForSociety
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After 2.5 incredibly rewarding years as Chief Economist, I am stepping down from my role at the WTO today to return to academia. This has been the most fulfilling chapter of my professional journey so far. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity and proud of what we’ve achieved.
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Global goods trade posted a strong uptick in early 2025 driven by importers frontloading purchases ahead of anticipated higher tariffs; however, weakening export orders suggest that this momentum may not be sustained:
wto.org
Global goods trade posted a strong uptick in early 2025 driven by importers frontloading purchases ahead of anticipated higher tariffs; however, weakening export orders suggest that this momentum may...
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Farewell to WTO Chief Economist Ralph Ossa returning to academia.👋 Thank you for your outstanding contributions & for strengthening the role of economic analysis in trade policy. Germany, represented by WTO Amb. Heidecke, highly values your excellent work & wishes you the best.
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Today, we released our @wto trade forecast, which includes an analysis of the economic effects of current trade tensions. I summarize the main insights in my latest blog post:
wto.org
The WTO Secretariat's latest Global Trade Outlook and Statistics report, issued today (16 April), comes at a time of growing uncertainty for the global economy — and with it, a sharp deterioration in...
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Tariffs are making a comeback. In my latest blog post, I take a close look at what they actually do. On 16 April, we will release our trade forecast, providing a comprehensive quantitative analysis. https://t.co/04OwSWyziL
wto.org
Trade policy tensions are escalating fast. In recent months, several large economies have announced or implemented sweeping new tariffs, reviving a policy tool that many thought to have been largely...
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The @wto Chief Economist role is now open. I’ll be returning to the @ubscenter at @econ_uzh this summer, closing a chapter that has been the most rewarding of my career. Learn more and apply:
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Discussing subsidies and level playing field issues with experts and academics versed in @WTO rules including Professors Penny Goldberg (Yale), Gene Grossman (Princeton), Alan Sykes (Stanford), Robert Staiger (Dartmouth), Daniel Trefler (Toronto), and Tu Xinquan (UIBE Beijing).
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Today, we issued our latest @wto Goods Trade Barometer, feeling the pulse of international merchandise trade. The punchline: so far so good, but trade policy uncertainty looms:
wto.org
Global goods trade appeared to remain steady in the fourth quarter of 2024 and looked set to continue growing in the first months of 2025 as the WTO Goods Trade Barometer ticked up to 102.8, nearly...
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I am proud to share that we just launched a revamped @wto tariff and trade platform, which enhances access to official tariff and trade figures from over 150 economies. See here for more info:
wto.org
WTO Tariff & Trade Data, an online platform providing enhanced access to official tariff and trade figures for over 150 economies, was launched on 4 March. The database — currently in its beta...
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We launched an exciting new OECD-WTO report this morning on the economic implications of data regulation. The punchline is that data regulations need to balance openness and trust in order to yield maximum economic benefits. See here for more:
wto.org
A new report published today (10 February) by the WTO Secretariat and the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) identifies the potential economic implications of regulatory...
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Join my outstanding research team in Zurich as a #predoc research associate in summer/fall 2025! We conduct empirical analyses of labor markets, globalization, technology and politics. More info and link to application: 🔗 https://t.co/LEl9WDxIcH
@econ_ra
@predoc_org
@econ_uzh
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On my way back from the @wef in Davos, where I had the honor to moderate an exchange between trade ministers and private sector leaders on the @wto hosted by Swiss Federal Councillor @ParmelinG . The one sentence summary: the world needs a successful @wto more than ever in these
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My favorite @wto statistic is now featured in our Data Blog. Over 80% of world merchandise trade occurs on a most-favored nation basis, highlighting the central role of the @wto in global trade:
wto.org
Data Blog - A blog by the WTO Secretariat
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In the run up to the 2025 @wef, I discussed the global economic outlook with @RobinPomeroyEd on #RadioDavos:
weforum.org
Learn about the global economy's crossroads in this podcast with WTO Chief Economist Ralph Ossa, discussing trade, the latest outlook, and Trump's potential impact.
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On my way back from Vienna, where I gave a keynote lecture hosted by Federal Minister Martin Kocher and exchanged views with DG Trade’s Chief Economist @EdouardBourcieu and his EU Trade Economist Network. I argued that now is the time to stand up for trade and the @wto.
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Some last-minute sight seeing on my way back from the @OECD #IFCMA, where I presented the recent inter-agency task force report on working together for better climate action: https://t.co/pFVgqHt93W
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