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1. Topics:
Description;
Objectives;
Story;
Principles;
Evolution;
Rounds;
“Why WTO is important?”
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2. Description:
Founded January 1, 1995;
Rules established by the GATT;
127 countries;
153 members;
Decisions are taken unanimously;
WTO headquarters is at Geneva, Switzerland.
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3. Objectives:
To raise the levels of life;
To improve full employment;
To attain the objectives with sustainable development and environmental protection;
To ensure the rich and poor countries benefit from fair deals for both.
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4. Story: End of World War II;
International Trade Organization and the Havana’s letter;
ITO - Havana’s letter) were introduced into the GATT ;
After the Uruguay Round (1995) was established WTO ;
WTO came into January 1, 1995 ;
Slovenia joined the WTO on 30 July 1995;
Pascal Lamy ;
The Ministerial Conference ;
The General Council;
The Secretariat and Director General.
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5. Principles: Non-Discrimination:
– Most favored nation (MFN);
– National treatment.
Reciprocity;
Binding and enforceable commitments;
Transparency;
Safety valves.
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6. Evolution: Build an organization for economic cooperation;
IMF, GATT;
US allies at war do business with low Tariffs - ITO (International Trade Organization);
ITO (Havana’s letter) uncessufull;
October 30 of 1947, 23 Countries have signed (Final Act authentic of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade);
After the Uruguay round of GATT was transformed to the WTO.
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7. Rounds: Year Name Number of countries Issues
1947 Genebra (1947); 23 countries Tariffs
1949 Annecy (1949); 13 countries Tariffs
1950/51 Torquay (1950/51); 38 countries Tariffs
1955/1956 Genebra (1955/56); 26 countries Tariffs
1960/61 Dillon (1960/61); 26 countries Tariffs
1964/67 Kennedy (1964/67); 62 countries Tariffs, Antidumping measures.
1973/79 Tokyo (1973/79); 102 countriesTariffs, Non-tariff measures,
Export restrictions, Measures for controlling the Proliferation.
1986/93 Uruguai (1986/93); 123 countriesTariffs, Agriculture, Services, Intellectual property, Textiles.
2001/… Doha (2001/…). 149 countriesIndustrial tariffs and Non-tariff
barriers, Trade remedies, Agriculture, Services.
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8. Importance of WTO: Important for international relations;
WTO is also target of criticism;
WTO is not an independent organization;
Less developed countries do not have much influence;
Trade was faced with a restriction products (less variety);
Product prices would be more expensive;