It is obvious that globalization has not affected the international system in a balanced fashion. Some countries are more global than others. One has the impression that, having won the cold war, Western countries have come to believe in their own speeches and are convinced that through the so-called globalization they will be able to universally propagate their values in a homogeneous fashion. This is the background against which the current emphasis on trade as the main element of diplomacy can be understood. Most diplomatic efforts are concentrated on trade and on trade related questions.
Free trade is touted as a panacea for the solution of the world s problems.
These are some of the questions that pass through our minds as we have to cope with an unprecedented amount of simultaneous levels of trade negotiations. In today s world, the concept of power has changed considerably. It is no longer measured solely in terms of military capabilities. To both faces of the new international power, trade has become increasingly essential. Inasmuch as it has evident effects on the generation and accumulation of wealth, trade also impacts upon the cultural and social values of society.