'The issue is really about whether attitudes towards trade, attitudes towards globalisation, financial regulations, savings behaviour in large economies, whether these attitudes are going to change in such a way as to essentially create a long-term de-globalisation in the world economy,' Low said.

The WTO projects global trade will shrink 10 percent in 2009.

The trade organisation, which has been trying to push through the Doha Round of a new global trade agreement since 2001, is hoping that negotiations will be finalised next year.

'So far, although there have been some protectionist noises in the underbrush, it's fair to say governments have been impressively restrained with respect to resorting to protectionist measures,' Low said.

'Some people think that the crisis can concentrate minds in the negotiations, but that we haven't quite seen yet.'