Professor of Economics | University of Zurich

Joined October 2022
As of today, I have returned to the University of Zurich as the UBS Foundation Professor of Economics. I am grateful to UZH for their support during my time at the WTO and look forward to this new chapter in Zurich. #UZH #EconomicsForSociety
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After 2.5 incredibly rewarding years as Chief Economist, I am stepping down from my role at the WTO today to return to academia. This has been the most fulfilling chapter of my professional journey so far. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity and proud of what we’ve achieved.
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Farewell to WTO Chief Economist Ralph Ossa returning to academia.👋 Thank you for your outstanding contributions & for strengthening the role of economic analysis in trade policy. Germany, represented by WTO Amb. Heidecke, highly values your excellent work & wishes you the best.
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The @wto Chief Economist role is now open. I’ll be returning to the @ubscenter at @econ_uzh this summer, closing a chapter that has been the most rewarding of my career. Learn more and apply: wto.wd3.myworkdayjobs.com/en…
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Discussing subsidies and level playing field issues with experts and academics versed in @WTO rules including Professors Penny Goldberg (Yale), Gene Grossman (Princeton), Alan Sykes (Stanford), Robert Staiger (Dartmouth), Daniel Trefler (Toronto), and Tu Xinquan (UIBE Beijing). Very useful insights.
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We launched an exciting new OECD-WTO report this morning on the economic implications of data regulation. The punchline is that data regulations need to balance openness and trust in order to yield maximum economic benefits. See here for more: wto.org/english/news_e/news2…
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Join my outstanding research team in Zurich as a #predoc research associate in summer/fall 2025! We conduct empirical analyses of labor markets, globalization, technology and politics. More info and link to application: 🔗ddorn.net @econ_ra @predoc_org @econ_uzh
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On my way back from the @wef in Davos, where I had the honor to moderate an exchange between trade ministers and private sector leaders on the @wto hosted by Swiss Federal Councillor @ParmelinG . The one sentence summary: the world needs a successful @wto more than ever in these uncertain times.
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My favorite @wto statistic is now featured in our Data Blog. Over 80% of world merchandise trade occurs on a most-favored nation basis, highlighting the central role of the @wto in global trade: wto.org/english/blogs_e/data…
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More than 80% of world merchandise trade is conducted under MFN terms. New research by @wto statisticians highlights the @wto’s vital role as a cornerstone for global trade: wto.org/english/res_e/reser_…
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On my way back from Vienna, where I gave a keynote lecture hosted by Federal Minister Martin Kocher and exchanged views with DG Trade’s Chief Economist @EdouardBourcieu and his EU Trade Economist Network. I argued that now is the time to stand up for trade and the @wto.
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Some last-minute sight seeing on my way back from the @OECD #IFCMA, where I presented the recent inter-agency task force report on working together for better climate action: wto.org/english/res_e/booksp…
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