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Online NewsHourThe WTO and Global Trade
In the News:WTO's structure and function
While the World Trade Organization's mandate is to foster and regulate trade, protesters accuse the body of benefiting developed nations at the expense of poorer ones. As the WTO continues to negotiate regulations and mediate disputes, public opinion of the organization remains deeply divided, although the trade body argues that the public has misconceptions of its practices.
U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab and Russia's German Gref

November 20, 2006
U.S.-Russia Trade Pact Paves Way for Russia to Join WTO
A trade agreement signed by the United States and Russia over the weekend clears a major hurdle for the former communist country's entry into the World Trade Organization.

U.S. trade representative Susan Schwab signed the agreement with her Russian counterpart German Gref in Hanoi, Vietnam at the meeting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.

Archive
While the World Trade Organization's mandate is to foster and regulate trade, protesters accuse the body of benefiting developed nations at the expense of poorer ones. As the WTO continues to negotiate regulations and mediate disputes, public opinion of the organization remains deeply divided, although the trade body argues that the public has misconceptions of its practices.

July 25, 2006
After Faltering for Months, Global Free Trade Talks Suspended
International trade representatives officially suspended the Doha round of free trade talks, marking a major setback to efforts to reduce trade barriers throughout the globe. Sherman Katz of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace analyzes the breakdown.

December 19, 2005
Nations Agree to Phase Out Farm Export Subsidies
Trade ministers from 149 nations concluded talks in Hong Kong with a deal on eliminating farm export subsidies by 2013 but without agreements on reducing trade barriers for agricultural and industrial products.

Resolving Trade Disputes within the WTO

Ensuring that countries abide by WTO rules is crucial if the group is to remain relevant. When one member of the WTO accuses another of violating a trade rule, the dispute is resolved through the organization’s internal multi-step process.

Challenges Poorer Nations Face at the WTO

Developing nations often argue that they lack the clout to successfully navigate the WTO's dispute resolution process. The banana trade war is an example many cite, saying the dispute left developing countries vulnerable when they were at odds with the European Union.

WTO's History

The WTO evolved from GATT, which was created in the aftermath of World War II. Since its founding in 1995, the organization has grappled with many crucial trade issues and has also come under pressure to better address the needs of developing nations.
The World Trade Organization promotes free trade by opening markets through the elimination of import tariffs. The international body's agreements cover intellectual property, goods and services.
Additional Resources:
Commanding Heights
By the People: Experts answer questions that ordinary Americans have about international trade and its implications.
 

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