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Forty-one members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) on Tuesday issued a joint statement, expressing concerns over rising trade tensions and risks of escalating protectionism. 

The statement, delivered to a meeting of the WTO's General Council, called on governments to resolve their differences through dialogue and cooperation, including through the WTO.

"We are concerned about increased trade tensions and related risks for the multilateral trading system and world trade," said the statement.

It encouraged WTO members to refrain from taking protectionist measures and to avoid risks of escalation.