Utilization and Limitations of Plurilateral Agreements: Contributions to Trade Rules

Policy Discussion Paper published in July 2025 by Michitaka Nakatomi, Consulting Fellow at the Research Institute of Economy, Trade and Industry. WTO rulemaking has stagnated due to member expansion and diversification, complex economic interests and conflicts, and emerging economic security requirements. Amid growing concerns about unilateral measures and protectionism, plurilateral agreements under Joint Statement Initiatives (JSI) have gained attention since 2018, producing certain results. This paper examines the background of plurilateral agreements' prominence, their definition and scope, conditions for realization, contributions to WTO rules and paths to multilateralization, and their potential and limitations through case studies. Plurilateral agreements form the foundation of trade agreements since WTO's establishment, with increasing importance in the current trade system. The paper provides detailed analysis of JSI's current status, future challenges, and WTO decision-making issues, clarifying the role of plurilateral agreements in future international trade rule formation.