One of the most striking development in the world trading system since the mid 1990s is a surge in Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs). From about 50 till 1990, the number of RTAs notified to the World Trade Organization (WTO) has crossed 250 in 2003 and estimates indicate that over 300 RTAs will be in effect by 2007. Initially WTO encouraged the growth of RTAs because it believed that regional in...

Median voter theory applied to trade policy predicts positive tariffs in capital-abundant countries and negative tariffs in labor-abundant countries. Negative tariffs are rare, and this paper reconciles the median voter theory with observed protectionism across countries. By considering large countries, I show the optimal tariff is a sum of the median voter component and a positive in terms of ...

Abstract Trade multilateralism would not have featured as a case of ‘abject failure’ had this special issue been planned in 2001. But since then, the World Organization (WTO) has unfortunately become an almost perfect example how to negotiate, even when one takes into account limited successes 12th ministerial conference June 2022. This article proceeds four steps. The first section outlines mu...

Members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) hold varying opinions regarding status developing countries as WTO members and Special Differential Treatment (SDT), which reflects various perspectives on what constitutes fair treatment in WTO. These discrepancies have now became more noticeable, presents a problem for organization. The definition country member, graduation, efficacy SDT, technica...

trips agreement (trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights) is one of the binding agreements of world trade organization, upon the cases originate from that agreement also heared at dispute settlement understanding. one different character of trips agreement is expressing minimum standards. the diverse explanation of its articles may lead to some controversy between members of world...

For the first time, the 2015 World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ministerial Conference would be held in Africa, in Kenya, in December 2015. WTO Director General Roberto Azevêdo stated that the WTO has helped to boost trade growth, resolve trade disputes and support developing countries to integrate into the trading system. But most African countries question that if the multilateral trade negotiati...

In December 2001, China joined the WTO and became the 143rd full member. In the last decade, China’s international trade developed rapidly and it has consequently become the largest commodity exporter and the second largest importer in the world. Undoubtedly, China’s international status has improved significantly. During this period, the pattern of international economy and trade are also unde...

Earlier Sections in this Report have sought to understand why international cooperation in trade matters seems to make sense to governments and how such cooperation translates into institutions and rules. We will now focus on the main achievements of multilateral trade cooperation over the last six decades and explore some of the core challenges and issues that the system faces today. The Secti...