Liberia joins World Trade Organization

The West African nation of Liberia has joined the World Trade Organization (WTO), making it the organization's 163rd member.

Liberia was supported during its WTO application process by the European Union (EU).

"The European Union is very pleased to welcome Liberia – our partner in the Africa-Caribbean-Pacific group – as a new member of the WTO," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said. "This is a clear and tangible demonstration of our joint commitment to integrate the world's least-developed countries into the global trading system."

Liberia is one of two Least Developed Countries (LDCs) whose membership will be ratified at the upcoming WTO 10th Ministerial Conference, the other being Afghanistan. LDCs have more leeway with regard to trading rights, customs valuations and intellectual-property rights.