As part of the Contemporary History Conversations series, organized by the Vittorio Meoni Institute for the History of the Resistance and Contemporary Age (ISRSEC), Prof. Gabriele Cappelli delivered a lecture titled "The WTO: From No Global Criticism to Trump’s Tariffs."
Title: "The WTO: From No Global Criticism to Trump’s Tariffs"
Date and Time: Wednesday, April 9, 2025, at 5:00 PM
Location: Stanze della Memoria, Siena (via Malavolti 9) – also available online
The talk explored the resurgence of protectionism in U.S. trade policy under President Trump, examined through the lens of global economic history. It traced the creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the aftermath of World War II with the goal of promoting free trade, and analyzed the critiques raised by the No Global movement. The lecture also reflected on the historical role of tariffs as economic and political tools during the period 1850–1914, showing how they were used to protect strategic sectors and respond to the challenges of the First Globalization. The discussion concluded by highlighting how protectionism can serve as a policy instrument in specific historical and economic contexts, while also posing risks to international cohesion.