- The original deadline to conclude negotiations (Jan 1, 2005) was missed.
- Several deadlines have been missed since then.
- Challenges:
- Disagreements on agriculture subsidies (e.g., India’s food security programs).
- Developed countries pushing for permanent moratorium on e-commerce duties.
- Developing countries (like India) resisting new rules on e-commerce.
- Differences on intellectual property rights (e.g., vaccine waivers).
- Increasing protectionism.
- Inadequate members in Appellate Tribunal for dispute resolution.
- Increasing number of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) and Free Trade Agreements (FTAs).
- Member countries questioning efficacy of WTO.