Journal of World Trade Studies (JWTS) was launched in 2010 as the publication outlet for academicians who involved in research activities at Center for World Trade Studies (CWTS) Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM), in collaboration with WTO Chairs Programme (WCP). In the beginning, JWTS was published once in a year, until 2015 it started to publish two numbers in a year. Due to reorganization in the JWTS and CWTS, it experienced period of vacuum until 2020 when it started to publish regularly twice in a year.

JWTS as multidisciplinary journal serves as platform for showcasing in-depth and thought-provoking analysis of the world trading system at multilateral, plurilateral, regional, and bilateral levels. Initially, JWTS focus is primarily concerned with the analysis of regulatory frameworks that govern and maintain the global trading system and its effect on trading commodities. However, in 2021 JWTS expanded its scope to accommodate the recent development issues in international trade, as CWTS shifts its concern toward circular economy, blue economy, and inclusion of small and medium enterprises in international trade practices, especially in Global South.