Source: https://www.scribd.com/doc/68457366/An-Introduction-to-the-WTO-Lecture-One
Timestamp: 2016-09-27 06:00:43
Document Index: 691369955

Matched Legal Cases: ['Art.4', 'Art. 1', 'Art.17', 'Art 2', 'Art 11', 'Art 12', 'Art.1', 'Art.2', 'Art.3']

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Established on 1st January 1995 As a result of the Uruguay Round negotiations (1986-1994) Located in Geneva, Switzerland Members: 149 countries (as of 11 Dec. 2005)
At its simplest: “A global organisation dealing with rules of trade between nations”.
GATT expanded its competence through several rounds of trade negotiations which witnessed the formulation of complex legal instruments on specific aspects of trade.Evolution of the WTO
Predecessor of the WTO – The GATT „47
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) 1947 -the first major effort to establish international rules governing trade in goods. In the years leading up to the Uruguay Round. never came into effect. GATT‟s primary focus was the reciprocal reduction of tariffs which later expanded to other trade related areas. Though initially conceived as a provisional legal instrument. It functioned without a formal organisational framework to oversee its implementation as the proposed International Trade Organisation (ITO) never came into being and the ITO Charter (aka the Havana Charter) of which GATT was only to be a part. it endured for almost 50 years. particularly disciplines on the use of non tariff barriers.
It was a rule-based global trading system complete with its own dispute resolution procedures . Morocco on 15 April 1994 . The “Single Undertaking” concept The multilateral trade agreements under the WTO system are treated as a single undertaking which means that every member state of the WTO is a party to every one of these agreements and must implement them accordingly.
.The WTO came into being on 1 January 1995 by virtue of the Agreement establishing the WTO.The Uruguay Round (1986-1994)
The results of the Uruguay Round (UR) were signed in Marrakech. The scope of the multilateral trading system was broadened from trade in goods (GATT) to encompass trade in services (GATS) and trade related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS).
The WTO‟s functions
Administers the WTO Agreements and facilitates their operation and implementation Provides a forum for trade negotiations among member states on matters covered by the Agreements and for further liberalisation of trade amongst members Responsible for the settlement of differences and disputes between members Responsible for periodic reviews of the trade policies of members Also provides technical assistance and training for developing countries Cooperates with other international organisations on subjects of mutual interest
anti dumping) Encouragement of development and economic reform
.Most Favoured Nation (MFN) and National Treatment obligations Freer trade – negotiations aimed at lowering trade barriers Predictability and transparency .g. transparency obligations in the major trade agreements and the Trade Policy Review Mechanism) The promotion of fair competition.Principles of the world trading system under the WTO
Non discrimination.binding commitments. restrictions on the use of barriers to trade and transparent trade policies and regulatory frameworks (e. national treatment and rules against unfair trade practices (e.g.MFN.
governmental representatives. developing.developed. Committees functioning under the Councils and Committees for the Plurilateral Agreements.Organisational structure of the WTO
Ministerial Conference. Trade in Services (oversees GATS) and TRIPS which report to and assist the General Council.
. Committees on special subjects. Composition:-ministerial representatives. Decision making is by consensus.
Membership.performs the functions of the Conference between meetings and has specific duties assigned to it by the WTO agreements. The General Council also meets as the Dispute Settlement Body and the Trade Policy Review Body. General Council. If consensus is not possible decisions will be taken by a majority vote. Composition:.The apex body for decision making (meets every 2 years). least developed countries and economies in transition. Councils for Trade in Goods (oversees GATT).
GATT 1994 . Agreement on Trade in Civil Aircraft)
. related agreements (e.Agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Annex 2 Understanding on the Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (aka Dispute Settlement Understanding /DSU) Annex 3 Trade Policy Review Mechanism Annex 4 Plurilateral Agreements (e.g.General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and Annexes 1C.g.) and texts 1B. Subsidies etc.The Uruguay Round agreements
The Agreement establishing the WTO Its Annexes Annex 1A . Agreements on Agriculture.
[The principle of MFN is also found in GATS(Art.4)]
. Spanish coffee case: Spain applied a higher duty on the types of coffee imported from Brazil while applying a lower duty on other coffees considered to be „like products‟. free trade areas/customs unions and preferential systems.g. it requires any favourable treatment granted to a product originating in or destined for any other country. There are permitted exceptions to the MFN rule: for e. E.Four main principles of GATT
Most Favoured Nation – Art. 1 of GATT embodies the MFN rule.2) and TRIPS (Art. At its simplest. The Panel considered this to be a breach of its GATT MFN obligation.g. to be accorded immediately and unconditionally to the like product originating in or destined for the territories of all other member states.
[The national treatment principle is also found in GATS (Art.]
. charges. E.3).)
National Treatment – The national treatment rule in Art.17) and TRIPS (Art. laws and regulations must not be applied so as to afford protection to domestic production.Alcoholic beverages case (1996) imported vodka (and other alcoholic beverages) vs. 3 of GATT provides that internal taxes. The imported product must not be subject directly or indirectly to internal taxes in excess of those applied directly or indirectly to the like domestic product. Japan. local shochu (a distilled white spirit) and excessive taxes on the former.g.Principles (Cont.
28bis GATT). (Tariff concessions are recorded in schedules of concessions)
.Principles (Cont.1(b) GATT]. . Tariffs shall also be bound against further increases [Art 2.Reinforced through rules which prohibit use of quantitative restrictions (Art 11 GATT).negotiations shall be aimed at reducing tariffs (Preamble and Art.Protection of the domestic industry by tariffs only. Limited exceptions are allowed e. for BOP reasons (Art 12 GATT).)
Tarrification . Tariff Concessions.g.
Implementation of reports by members
. 5.Periodic review of trade policies
. Panel proceedings 3. Consideration and adoption of Panel/AB reports by the DSB If the report concludes that a measure is inconsistent with a covered agreement the Panel (/AB) must recommend that the Member concerned bring the measure into conformity with that agreement. Consultations.Negotiation of compensation (voluntary. Appellate Body 4. conciliation and mediation 2. mutually acceptable) .Authorisation of retaliatory action (suspension of concessions/obligations)
Trade Policy Review Mechanism.Compliance . Adoption of Panel (/AB) reports by the DSB is automatic. good offices.The WTO as a dispute settlement forum and a monitoring body
Settlement of disputes under the DSU 1.
administrative action etc. Measures can be laws. Services cover a wide range of activities. decisions. procedures. Under the GATS. regulations.. of Member governments.
. The GATS is “broadly comparable” to the GATT but there are significant differences in its approach to liberalization.Services and the WTO
The WTO regulates trade in services through the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). the term “services” include any service in any sector except services supplied in the exercise of governmental authority. The GATS applies to all measures by Members affecting trade in services.
Trade in services under the GATS is defined in terms of four modes of supply.Cont. through commercial presence in the territory of any other Member. through presence of natural persons of a Member in the territory of any other Member (aka presence of natural persons/ Mode 4)
(Art.1 GATS)
. (aka commercial presence/ Mode 3) (4) by a service supplier of one Member. They are :(1) from the territory of one Member into the territory of any other Member (aka cross border supply of services/ Mode 1) (2) in the territory of one Member to the service consumer of any other Member (aka consumption abroad/ Mode 2) (3) by a service supplier of one Member.
Specific obligations which apply only to service sectors specified in the Member‟s “Schedule of specific commitments”.
.GATS obligations
Two main categories of obligations  General obligations which apply to all service sectors of all Members.
MFN (Art.2)
“With respect to any measure covered by this Agreement. 2 exemptions and RTAs (Art. Also requires the establishment of national enquiry points. The rule requires the “prompt” publication of general measures.5)
Transparency (Art. each Member shall accord immediately and unconditionally to services and service suppliers of any other Member treatment no less favorable than that it accords to like services and service suppliers of any other country.” Note qualifications to the MFN rule via Art.3)
Art. notification of changes to/introduction of measures that affect sectors covered by specific commitments to the Services Council.
. 3 is mainly concerned with the provision of information.
16 contains a prohibition of a list of measures (mostly quantitative) which Members cannot maintain unless they specify them in their Schedules as limitations on market access.g.g. These measures include: . limited broadcasting time for foreign films) .limitations on the number of suppliers (e.limitations on the quantity of service out put (e.” Art. joint venture)
.g.Specific obligations
Market Access Art.limitations on the participation of foreign capital or restrictions on the type of legal entity (e. 16 “With respect to market access through the modes of supply identified in
Article 1. quotas) . limitations and conditions agreed and specified in its Schedule. each Member shall accord services and service suppliers of any other Member treatment no less favorable than that provided for under the terms.
in respect of all measures affecting the supply of services.
National Treatment Art. and subject to any conditions and qualifications set out therein.Cont.
. 17 covers both de jure and de facto discrimination. Art. each Member shall accord to services and service suppliers of any other Member.” Example : The availability of tax incentives only to companies controlled by nationals of the country in the retail services sector. 17 “In the sectors inscribed in its Schedule. treatment no less favorable than that it accords to its own like services and service suppliers.
g. licensing procedures and technical regulations. professional qualifications. objective and impartial manner”. 6
Article 6 addresses domestic regulations as these may act as barriers to trade even if they are non-discriminatory.Cont. obligations aimed at preventing licensing and qualification requirements and technical standards from being unnecessary barriers to trade. 6 obligations apply only to service sectors in which commitments have been undertaken. E. Certain Art.
Domestic regulations Art.
. They include: obligations to ensure that general measures are administered in “a reasonable.
It also provides non discriminatory treatment of products and services.Stability of access
the application of uniform rules in key areas of the trading process e. customs valuation.Security of access
tariff bindings and disciplines on barriers to trade whether tariff or non tariff.
.WTO: Benefits for business
Creation of a stable. multilateral trading regime Market access translates into market opportunities The rule based system creates certain rights of access .Rights against unfair trade practices for
Domestic industry Export industry Import industry
. rule based. import licenses etc.g.
high tariffs on processed goods.  Preserve or defend markets through their governments‟ use of the dispute resolution mechanism. trade/product/service organizations.Participating in the process
Why is it important?  Improve market access through continuous lobbying through chambers of commerce.  Overcome problem areas in international trading e. technical standards.  Expand or protect trading interests through support or opposition of new subject areas in trade negotiations.g.
org  World Bank www.oecd.wto.For further information
The WTO Website : www.intracen.worldbank.org
.org  ITC www.org
Some related websites of interest  OECD www.
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