Universidad El Bosque

WTO- WORLD
TRADE
ORGANIZATION
Sebastián Gonzalez, Laura Granada, Wilson Molina,
Carlos Parra, Laura Rocha.
 The World Trade Organization is the only global
international organization dealing with the rules of
trade between nations. It was established on
WTO January 1, 1995, marking a major reform in
international trade post World War II.
CREATION It covers not only trade in goods but also services
and intellectual property, introducing new dispute
settlement procedures.

The WTO operates through agreements

negotiated and ratified by its member nations,
aiming to facilitate global trade for producers,
exporters, and importers.
The WTO has 164 members, accounting
for 98% of world trade. A total of 25
countries are negotiating membership.

The WTO is run by its member

governments. All major decisions are
made by the membership as a whole,
either by ministers (who usually meet at
MEMBERS
least once every two years) or by their
ambassadors or delegates (who meet
regularly in Geneva).
STRUCTURE
SPECIAL 1. Assisting developing and
transition economies
POLICIES Developing countries make up about three quarters of
the total WTO membership.

The subjects can be anything from help in dealing with

negotiations to join the WTO and implementing WTO
commitments, to guidance in participating effectively in
multilateral negotiations.

Developing countries, especially the least-developed

among them, are helped with trade and tariff data
relating to their own export interests and to their
participation in WTO bodies.
SPECIAL POLICIES

2. Specialized help for exporting: the

International Trade Centre
It is jointly operated by the WTO and the United Nations.

The centre responds to requests from developing countries for assistance in formulating
and implementing export promotion programmes as well as import operations and
techniques. It provides information and advice on export markets and marketing
techniques.

The centre’s help is freely available to the least-developed countries.

3. The WTO in global economic policy-
making SPECIAL
An important aspect of the WTO’s mandate is to cooperate
with the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank and
POLICIES
other multilateral institutions to achieve greater coherence
in global economic policy-making.

It recognizes that different aspects of economic policy are

linked, and it calls on the WTO to develop its cooperation
with the international organizations responsible for
monetary and financial matters.

The declaration also recognizes the contribution that trade

liberalization makes to the growth and development of
national economies.
SPECIAL POLICIES

4. Transparency
Keeping the WTO informed
Often the only way to monitor whether commitments are being implemented fully is by
requiring countries to notify the WTO promptly when they take relevant actions.

Keeping the public informed

The main public access to the WTO is the website, www.wto.org
News of the latest developments are published daily. Background information and
explanations of a wide range of issues — including “Understanding the WTO” — are also
available
WTO dispute resolution

Firstly, systematic dispute resolution is a crucial

notion in the World Trade Organization as it is
necessary to provide member countries with a formal
way to resolve trade disputes. For this reason, the
WTO listed some examples of disputes to be
resolved:
European Union vs. United States -
Subsidies to Boeing (DS353)

The dispute between the United States and the European Union over subsidies to
aircraft manufacturers Boeing and Airbus is one of the longest and most significant
in the history of the WTO. Both sides have accused each other of providing illegal
subsidies that impact competition in the aerospace industry. The WTO has issued
several rulings over the years, finding both parties guilty of providing prohibited
subsidies and ordering them to make changes to their practices.
 In 2012, anti-dumping duties were imposed on Chinese
imports of solar panels. The US solar panel industry
was affected by Chinese manufacturers selling panels
Anti-dumping below their production price. China filed a complaint
duties on against the United States with the WTO because the US
anti-dumping measures were unfair and violated
Chinese solar
international free trade regulations. Some aspects of
panel imports the US anti-dumping measures were found to be
in 2012: compatible with WTO rules, but others were found to
be incompatible with WTO rules, leading to
adjustments in US trade policies related to Chinese
solar panels. This case clearly demonstrates the
application of anti-dumping measures in the context of
international trade, as well as the role of the WTO in
resolving such disputes.
The WTO and its crucial
role in international
trade

The WTO has been a key player in global trade since its inception in 1995,
comprising a group of 164 countries working together to establish trade rules
and resolve disputes. The WTO seeks to promote trade liberalization and
ensure a fair and predictable environment for all actors.
This mechanism helps resolve conflicts among member countries, intervening
and investigating all parties and making a fair and binding decision. This is
crucial as it helps maintain peace and stability in the global trading system.
 Challenges
Despite its importance, the World Trade Organization
(WTO) faces various challenges. One of them is the
increasing trade tensions among countries, which hinder
the establishment of agreements and the promotion of fair
and equitable trade.

Overcoming these challenges is no easy task, but it is crucial for the

WTO to remain relevant as a space for international trade
cooperation. The success of the WTO in addressing these challenges
not only affects the organization itself but also global economic
growth.
 Evolution from GATT to WTO:
While GATT provided provisional rules for world
trade from 1948 to 1994, the establishment of the
WTO in 1995 represented a comprehensive
reform, extending its scope beyond goods to cover
services and intellectual property.
Conclusions
Inclusive Membership and Decision-Making:
With 164 member nations accounting for 98% of
world trade, the WTO fosters inclusivity in decision-
making, with major determinations made collectively
by member governments.
 Support for Developing Economies:
The WTO's specialized assistance programs for
developing and transitioning economies demonstrate a
commitment to inclusive growth and capacity-building.

Role in Dispute Resolution:

The WTO's dispute settlement mechanism serves as a
cornerstone of international trade governance, providing
Conclusions a formal avenue for resolving conflicts among member
states.

Adapting to Challenges and Ensuring Relevance:

By embracing innovation, fostering cooperation among
members, and addressing emerging issues, the
organization can continue to serve as a vital platform for
international trade cooperation, driving global economic
growth and prosperity.
Bibliography

WTO Dispute Settlement Cases Search:

https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/find_dispu_cases_e.htm

WTO Dispute Settlement - Home:

https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/dispu_e.htm

WTO IN BRIEF:
https://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/inbrief_e/inbr_e.htm