WTO-Building © BDI/Eckart von Unger

WTO: The Multilateral Trade Order Redeemed?

For decades, together with its predecessor, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), the World Trade Organisation has contributed to the opening of markets and to the creation of fair rules to regulate trade between members. Thus, it has promoted economic growth and prosperity worldwide. However, the multilateral trade organization remains under strong pressure today to reform even after unexpected consensus at the 12th Ministerial. What comes next?

Container on the ship

The Crisis of the WTO

Settlement of Trade Disputes Despite Weakness in the WTO

The EU – Multilateralist by Conviction

Justitia © Fotalia/Stefan Welz

China in the World Trade Organisation

Container ship ©fotolia.de/Donvictori

The United States in the World Trade Organisation

Trade in ICT – An Important Pillar for Economic Growth and Prosperity

Positions

Regulate areas that have not been or not been comprehensively covered by WTO provisions.

These include investment, competition, export duties, public procurement as well as bilateral free trade agreements.

Conclude remaining issues of the Doha Round

WTO members should use new approaches to address the remaining Doha issues, especially market access for industrial goods.

International trade as a source for global prosperity and development

The objective is a barrier-free and rule-based world trade. The multilateral liberalization and regulation via the WTO remains the ideal solution.