Search results for ""World Trade Organization""

This comprehensive Companion provides an extensive guide to understanding the World Trade Organization (WTO) and its impact on the global economy. Addressing the challenges facing the WTO amidst a rapidly evolving landscape, the book delves into the diverse trade policies of countries and regions, providing rare insights into their impact on the global trade governance frameworks. Featuring insightful contributions from interdisciplinary experts, this essential Companion will aid readers in comprehending the WTO’s functions and its significance in international trade and broader economic policies. Chapters explore the influence of regional trade agreements on countries’ trade agendas, the WTO’s critical role in fostering free and fair trade, and the shifting dynamics of global economic governance. The book further highlights the importance of dispute resolution, regional integration, and coalitions for effective trade policy making. Highlighting the need for increased transparency, flexibility, and adaptability to ensure the WTO’s continued relevance in global economic governance, this Companion will be indispensable for scholars and students of institutional economics, international relations, law and politics, and regulation and governance. It will also be beneficial for trade lawyers, experts, and professionals who work in international trade and commerce, as well as NGOs and civil society organizations.

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One of the most important yet least understood organizations in the world, the WTO is a lynchpin of globalization, allowing us to enjoy products and services from around the globe. However, it also lays bare the frailty of many industries, leading some to claim that it stokes unemployment and harms the developing world. In this engaging introduction, David Collins examines the goals of the WTO and the difficulties experienced by member countries struggling to adapt to the pressures of globalization. Refuting the argument that the WTO should expand its mandate to cover wider social issues, Collins demonstrates how this would confuse the organization’s primary objective – to liberalize international trade. With case studies straight from the headlines and clear explanations of complex issues like regional trade agreements and currency manipulation, this lucid exposition is an essential insight into what the WTO does and how it fits into the world we know.

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The World Trade Organization (WTO) is scarcely ten years old, but even in these early years of its existence it has generated debate, controversy and even outrage. Rulings on beef hormones and tuna-dolphin cases provide graphic examples of how the organization regulates and intrudes into areas of individual consumer choice, ethical preferences, and cultural habits. This deep and far-ranging impact of the WTO on peoples' everyday lives means that it is not just an institution of interest to economists, but to everyone, a fact that was perhaps most graphically illustrated in the popular demonstrations at the 1999 Seattle Ministerial. Such protests have become a regular feature associated with most high-level meetings of the WTO. This VSI will provide a timely and carefully considered explanation of what the WTO is, what it does, and how it goes about executing its tasks. A clear understanding of the mandate, structure and functioning of the WTO is essential to appreciate the controversy behind the organization, and how far it deserves the reputation that it has come to acquire. ABOUT THE SERIES: The Very Short Introductions series from Oxford University Press contains hundreds of titles in almost every subject area. These pocket-sized books are the perfect way to get ahead in a new subject quickly. Our expert authors combine facts, analysis, perspective, new ideas, and enthusiasm to make interesting and challenging topics highly readable.

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This unique compilation of essays addresses a core political economy question: how do market forces and trade regulation interact? Its fresh Asian perspective offers a much-needed contribution to our understanding of how treaty-based regional and bilateral economic integration is driven by the Factory Asia phenomenon. The authors also compellingly show where the World Trade Organization could fit in. An informative read for scholars and experts alike.'- Manfred Elsig, University of Bern, SwitzerlandThe global financial crisis exposed great shortcomings in the global economic architecture, generating extensive international debate about possible remedies for these deficiencies. The postwar global architecture was guided by major developed economies, centered around the IMF, the GATT, and the World Bank. Today, the balance of economic power is shifting toward emerging economies. Global governance and economic policy must reflect this shift. With contributions from prominent Asian and international trade experts, this book critically examines key changes occurring in the world trading system and explores policy implications for Asia.The world trading system, led by the World Trade Organization (WTO), is under pressure to evolve and address 21st-century trade issues. Meanwhile, economically salient Asia has built deep supply chains over decades, whilst experimenting with mega-regional trade agreements and economic policies to sustain growth amid a fragile economy. The Asian-led Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the United States-led Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TPP) are competing to set standards for Asia's trade and supply chains. Lessons from the Asian experience offer new approaches and economic policies to sustain growth, presenting the WTO as a forum for action to improve global and regional trade governance in the 21st century.Policy makers will benefit from the expert knowledge and policy lessons presented in this book, and development economists and researchers will profit from its critical examination of the world trading system. Undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in development, development economics, international development, and related fields will find this essential supplementary reading.Contributors: R. Baldwin, S.Y. Chia, B. Dhar, S.J. Evenett, S. Inomata, M. Kawai, P. Low, M. Nakatomi, R. Pomfret, V. Pontines, J. Tijaja, S. Urata, R. Wang, G. Wignaraja, Y. Zhang

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This collection of essays from leading academics examines the connection between the World Trade Organization (WTO) and human rights issues, a topic which has provoked significant debate, particularly in the decade since the collapsed WTO talks in Seattle in 1999. The editors argue that a true appreciation of the salient issues requires consideration of disciplines beyond the law, such as economics, political science and philosophy. This book builds on previous trade/human rights projects by adding that interdisciplinary dimension.Bringing together trade scholars and human rights scholars from legal and interdisciplinary perspectives, The World Trade Organization and Human Rights will be an invaluable research tool for international scholars in human rights and trade, NGOs in the development sector and human rights, trade organizations and trade practitioners.

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This detailed and perceptive book examines the extent and scope of how rules for accession to the WTO may vary between countries, approaching the concerns that some countries enter with a better deal than others. Dylan Geraets critiques these additional ?rules? and aims to answer the question of whether new Members of the WTO are under stricter rules than the original Members, whilst analysing the accession process to the multilateral trading system.Taking an integrated approach, the author combines the results of a Mapping Exercise of all 36 Protocols of accession with a legal analysis of the decisions by the WTO Dispute Settlement Body involving Protocols of Accession. In doing so, this book provides the first comprehensive analysis of the issue of Member-specific ?WTO-Plus? commitments in Protocols of Accession. Whilst addressing the institutional and historical aspects of the WTO accession process, it provides a vital update to the existing scholarship on WTO accession, offering coverage of all accessions including those of Afghanistan, Kazakhstan and Liberia.Accession to the World Trade Organization will be invaluable reading for academics interested in WTO accession practice, as well as lawyers, practitioners and government officials in the field of WTO accession.

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This book examines, from the legal perspective, China's process of WTO accession, its commitments to the accession, the implications of such commitments for its trade and legal systems, and its efforts toward WTO compliance. It also discusses the issue of the capacity of the evolving Chinese legal system for ensuring compliance. In particular, the book probes into the trade and legal systems at the turn of the accession and evaluates selected trade and legal issues, including intellectual property, foreign investment law and settlement of trade disputes.

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Since the publication of its first edition, this textbook has been the prime choice of teachers and students alike, due to its clear and detailed explanation of the basic principles of the multilateral trading system and the law of the World Trade Organization (WTO). The fifth edition continues to explore the institutional and substantive law of the WTO. It has been updated to incorporate all new developments in the WTO's ever-growing body of case law. Moreover, each chapter includes a 'Further Readings' section to encourage and facilitate research and discussion on the topics addressed. As in previous editions, each chapter also features a summary to reinforce learning. Questions, assignments, and exercises on WTO law and policy are contained in an online supplement, updated regularly. This textbook is an essential tool for all WTO law students and will also serve as a practitioner's introductory guide to the WTO.

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Between Law and Diplomacy crafts an insider's look at international trade disputes at one of the most important institutions in the global economy—the World Trade Organization. The WTO regulates the global rules for trade, and—unique among international organizations—it provides a legalized process for litigation between countries over trade grievances. Drawing on interviews with trade lawyers, ambassadors, trade delegations, and trade jurists, this book details how trade has become increasingly legalized and the implications of that for power relations between rich and poor countries. Joseph Conti looks closely at who uses the system to initiate and pursue disputes, who settles and on what terms, and the relative disconnect between pursuing a dispute and what a country gains through efforts to gain compliance with WTO dictates. Through this inside look at the process of disputing, Conti provides fresh perspective on how and why the law authorizes the use of specific resources and tactics in the ever unfolding struggle for control in the global economy.

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Despite the disruption of the multilateral trade talks at Seattle in December 1999, the work of the World Trade Organization (WTO) continues. The trade and investment issues that have been outstanding since the Seattle events are explored in this far reaching book. The distinguished contributors combine several analytical approaches for a comprehensive assessment of the trends, problems and opportunities demanding attention in international trade negotiations.The authors discuss the principle items on the agenda for a renewed round of WTO talks, and also examine issues concerning the treatment of foreign direct investment, urging trade policymakers to adopt measures that will enhance flows of such investment, as these contribute to trade expansion. US, European and Japanese interests and perspectives are considered. The authors believe that cooperative management of international trade and investment issues could introduce greater harmony in the world trading system and overcome fears about the disruptive consequences of increased market openness. The self appointed roles of Non Government Organizations (NGOs) are examined, with emphasis on the primary responsibilities of governments as representatives of their nations.By bringing together the extensive results of research by economists, international management experts and political scientists, this book will be of immense worth to trade policymakers, policy research institutes, consulting firms, and academic communities. Of particular value will be the volume's discussions of international competition policy problems.

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This book explores the legal regime of non-product related process and production methods (NPR PPMs) in the context of trade-restrictive environmental measures, eco-labelling requirements and sanitary measures under the WTO. These issues serve as concrete, representative examples that raise broader questions about the legitimacy of the WTO dispute settlement system and help to explore the true position of WTO members in this complex legal regime.NPR PPMs are process and production methods that do not affect the product as such, meaning that there is no discernible difference in two products with different NPR PPMs. This work examines WTO states’ attempts to regulate in this regard and create product distinctions on the basis of NPR PPMs. To do so, it scrutinizes historical, institutional, substantive and case-law issues related to NPR PPMs, environmental policy and the WTO. Further, the book addresses the issues of legitimacy, regulatory space and reform, contributing to the lively debate on the future of the WTO.

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Each Trade Policy Review consists of three parts: a report by the government under review, a report written independently by the WTO Secretariat, and the concluding remarks by the chair of the Trade Policy Review Body. A highlights section provides an overview of key trade facts. 15 to 20 new review titles are published each year. The reviews consist of detailed chapters examining the trade policies and practices of the member and describing trade policy-making institutions and the macroeconomic situation; these chapters are preceded by the Secretariat's Summary Observations, which summarize the report and presents the Secretariat's perspective on the member's trade policies. The Secretariat report and the member's policy statement are published after the review meeting, along with the minutes of the meeting and the text of the Chairperson's Concluding Remarks.

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This new publication replaces the WTO's annual flagship publication, International Trade Statistics. World Trade Statistical Review 2016 provides a detailed analysis of the latest developments in world trade, focusing on the most recent trends in goods and services trade and the participation of developing economies in world trade. The publication also looks ahead to future developments. The analytical chapters are complemented by a statistical appendix, which contains over sixty tables providing detailed data on trade by region and sector. The publication serves as an invaluable reference tool for researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in international trade.

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Each Trade Policy Review consists of three parts: a report by the government under review, a report written independently by the WTO Secretariat, and the concluding remarks by the chair of the Trade Policy Review Body. A highlights section provides an overview of key trade facts. 15 to 20 new review titles are published each year. The reviews consist of detailed chapters examining the trade policies and practices of the member and describing trade policy-making institutions and the macroeconomic situation; these chapters are preceded by the Secretariat's Summary Observations, which summarize the report and presents the Secretariat's perspective on the member's trade policies. The Secretariat report and the member's policy statement are published after the review meeting, along with the minutes of the meeting and the text of the Chairperson's Concluding Remarks.

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Each Trade Policy Review consists of three parts: a report by the government under review, a report written independently by the WTO Secretariat, and the concluding remarks by the chair of the Trade Policy Review Body. A highlights section provides an overview of key trade facts. 15 to 20 new review titles are published each year. The reviews consist of detailed chapters examining the trade policies and practices of the member and describing trade policy-making institutions and the macroeconomic situation; these chapters are preceded by the Secretariat's Summary Observations, which summarize the report and presents the Secretariat's perspective on the member's trade policies. The Secretariat report and the member's policy statement are published after the review meeting, along with the minutes of the meeting and the text of the Chairperson's Concluding Remarks.

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Each Trade Policy Review consists of three parts: a report by the government under review, a report written independently by the WTO Secretariat, and the concluding remarks by the chair of the Trade Policy Review Body. A highlights section provides an overview of key trade facts. 15 to 20 new review titles are published each year. The reviews consist of detailed chapters examining the trade policies and practices of the member and describing trade policy-making institutions and the macroeconomic situation; these chapters are preceded by the Secretariat's Summary Observations, which summarize the report and presents the Secretariat's perspective on the member's trade policies. The Secretariat report and the member's policy statement are published after the review meeting, along with the minutes of the meeting and the text of the Chairperson's Concluding Remarks.

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Each Trade Policy Review consists of three parts: a report by the government under review, a report written independently by the WTO Secretariat, and the concluding remarks by the chair of the Trade Policy Review Body. A highlights section provides an overview of key trade facts. 15 to 20 new review titles are published each year. The reviews consist of detailed chapters examining the trade policies and practices of the member and describing trade policy-making institutions and the macroeconomic situation; these chapters are preceded by the Secretariat's Summary Observations, which summarize the report and presents the Secretariat's perspective on the member's trade policies. The Secretariat report and the member's policy statement are published after the review meeting, along with the minutes of the meeting and the text of the Chairperson's Concluding Remarks.

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