Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala today again called for “avoiding panic” over trade wars launched by US, noting that there can be no talk of “chaos”.

Returning from Washington, D.C., where Okonjo-Iweala met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and White House Trade Representative (USTR) Jamison Greer, the WTO chief stressed that “the U.S., according to the indications I have received, continues to be a member of the WTO.“

“They want to continue to participate actively,” the WTO chief said, speaking at a conference at the organization’s headquarters in Geneva, a conference attended by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

This US willingness “should give us room to maneuver” and “allow us to believe that the US believes there is still some interest in being able to talk to other WTO members.“

“That’s one of the reasons why I think we need to remain calm, to listen” to US concerns “and ask how we can help them address their concerns,” he said.

Although trade tensions eased yesterday after the US Trump administration suspended tariffs it had imposed on imports from Canada and Mexico, the trade standoff with China continues.

The Republican occupant of the White House also plans to impose “reciprocal” tariffs on U.S. trading partners starting April 2. For him, this means normalizing inequalities. For example, if a US product is taxed 40% when imported into India, Washington will apply the same level of tariff in the other direction.

The WTO chief acknowledged that this is a “difficult time, a challenge,” saying she “understands the tremendous concern of people.“

However, “we should not panic” and “I don’t agree that the system is in chaos or turmoil,” he said.

He added that “there is no need to overreact” to the US announcements, stressing that they may differ from day to day. He recommended adopting a “cooperative approach with the US” rather than a “one you and one me” reaction.

“Take a deep breath… Have a dialogue,” he said, echoing a phrase he used in January at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos.