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concerns cannot be ignored. A net gain for the economy as a whole – or for other individuals – means little to someone who has lost their job. But in finding the right response we have to look at the whole picture. The fact is that the economy is changing fast – driven by technology and innovation. Eight in ten manufacturing jobs are lost to innovative technologies and higher productivity. It is estimated that 65 per cent of children entering primary school today will end up working in types of jobs that do not yet exist. We have to adapt to this new reality. That means applying the right mix of policies across a range of areas. At the domestic level, policies are needed to help support the workers of today and train the workers of tomorrow. Closing the borders to trade would only worsen the situation – it would not bring the jobs back, it would make more jobs disappear. We need to keep using trade to deliver more benefits to more people. More trade integration can help make the system more inclusive – connecting new industries and smaller players to new markets. We need to keep reforming the trading system in this direction – building on the successes of recent years, such as the Trade Facilitation Agreement, the expanded ITA and the elimination of agricultural export subsidies. Moreover, we need to resist putting up new barriers. The global trading system was challenged by the financial crisis – and it passed the test. We did not see a significant rise in protectionism, and we certainly did not see a repeat of the 1930s. The share of world imports covered by import-restrictive measures implemented since October 2008 and still in place is just 5 per cent. Of course, it could be even lower – but it shows that the WTO did its job. Now we need to keep strengthening the system, delivering new reforms and resisting the erection of new barriers to trade. As far as members are concerned, I see a huge level of commitment here in Geneva. Ultimately, these factors will be key in the outlook for both trade and economic growth. ■ABOUT THE AUTHORRoberto Azevêdo is the sixth Director-General of the WTO. His appointment took effect on 1 September 2013 for a four-year term. At a meeting of the General Council on 28 February 2017, WTO members agreed by consensus to appoint Roberto Azevêdo as Director-General for a second four-year term, starting on 1 September 2017.Pictured: Roberto AzevêdoTRADE 081