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Theimprintoftheoriginalheart丨The"WTOhammer"witnessinghistory2021-08-0422:55
A"WTOhammer"witnessedthehistoricalmomentofChina'sreturntotheWorldTradeOrganization,andtoldthestoryofChina'sactiveintegrationintoeconomicglobalizationanditsdeterminationtopromotetheconstructionofanopenworldeconomy.ReturningtotheWorldTradeOrganizationisabigstepforChinatocatchupwiththetimesandactivelyembracetheworld....Details
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History
July1944,AttheBrettonWoodsmeeting,theideaofestablishingtheWorldTradeOrganizationwasproposed.
InFebruary1946,theUnitedNationsEconomicandSocialCouncilhelditsfirstmeeting.ThemeetingcalledforaUnitedNationsConferenceonTradeandEmploymenttodraftacharterfortheInternationalTradeOrganizationandnegotiateaworldwidetariffreduction.Subsequently,theEconomicandSocialCouncilestablishedapreparatorycommittee.
In1947,theHavanaChartersignedbytheUnitedNationsConferenceonTradeandEmploymentagreedtoestablishtheWorldTradeOrganization.Later,duetotheoppositionoftheUnitedStates,theWorldTradeOrganizationcouldnotbeestablished.Inthesameyear,theUnitedStatesinitiatedthedraftingoftheGeneralAgreementonTariffsandTradeasatemporarycontracttopromotetradeliberalization.
From1947to1993,theGeneralAgreementonTariffsandTradepresidedover8roundsofmultilateraltariffandtradenegotiations.The8throundofnegotiationswasheldinGenevafrom1986toDecember15,1993,calledthe"UruguayRound.".Thefifthroundiscalledthe"DillonRound",thesixthroundiscalledthe"KennedyRound",andtheseventhroundiscalledthe"TokyoRound".
In1986,afterthestartoftheUruguayRoundofGATTnegotiations,
In1990,theEuropeanCommunityandCanadaformallyproposedtheestablishmentoftheWorldTradeOrganization.
OnApril15,1994,theUruguayRoundMinisterialMeetingoftheGeneralAgreementonTariffsandTradeheldinMarrakech,Morocco,decidedtoestablishamoreglobalWorldTradeOrganizationtoreplacetheGeneralAgreementonTariffsandTrade.
OnJanuary1,1995,theWorldTradeOrganizationwasestablished.
OnJanuary1,1996,theWorldTradeOrganizationformallyreplacedtheProvisionalAgencyoftheGeneralAgreementonTariffsandTrade,andKazakhstanappliedforWTOaccession.
OnDecember11,2001,ChinaformallyjoinedtheWorldTradeOrganization.
OnAugust30,2003,theGeneralCounciloftheWorldTradeOrganizationunanimouslyadoptedthefinaldocumentontheimplementationofthepatenteddrugcompulsorylicensingsystem.
OnNovember7,2006,theGeneralCounciloftheWorldTradeOrganizationheldaspecialmeetinginGenevatoacceptVietnamasamemberoftheorganization.
OnOctober26,2012,LaoswasformallyapprovedasamemberattheGeneralCouncilmeetingheldinGeneva,Switzerland;theinformalmeetingoftheGeneralCounciloftheWorldTradeOrganizationheldinGeneva,SwitzerlandonDecember10ofthesameyearApprovedthemembershipofTajikistanthroughapackageofdocumentsforTajikistan’saccessiontotheWorldTradeOrganization.
OnMarch2,2013,TajikistanofficiallybecameamemberoftheWorldTradeOrganization.OnDecember7ofthesameyear,theNinthMinisterialConferenceoftheWorldTradeOrganizationconcludedinBali,Indonesia,andtheBaliMinisterialDeclarationwasissued.OnDecember4ofthesameyear,theNinthMinisterialConferenceoftheWorldTradeOrganizationpassedanagreementinBali,Indonesia,approvingYemen'saccessiontotheWorldTradeOrganization.
OnApril26,2015,Seychellesconcludedthe20-yearWTOmembershipnegotiationwithmembersoftheWorldTradeOrganization.OnJuly27ofthesameyear,KazakhstanPresidentNazarbayevandWorldTradeOrganizationDirector-GeneralAzevedojointlysignedthe"ProtocolonKazakhstan'sAccessiontotheWorldTradeOrganization"attheWorldTradeOrganizationGeneralCouncilmeetinginGeneva;OnJuly29ofthesameyear,LiberiaandAfghanistanbecamemembersoftheWorldTradeOrganization.
OnDecember11,2019,duetothefactthatthereisonlyonememberoftheAppellateBodyoftheWorldTradeOrganization,whichisbelowtheminimumnumberofeffectiveoperations,theAppellateBodyoftheWorldTradeOrganizationDisputeSettlementMechanismwasofficiallyclosedaftermorethan20yearsofoperation.
Organization
OrganizationalPurpose
Improvelivingstandards,ensurefullemploymentandsubstantiallyandsteadilyincreaserealincomeandeffectivedemand;expandproductionofgoodsandservicesAndtrade;adheretothepathofsustainabledevelopment,eachmembershouldpromotetheoptimaluseofworldresources,protectandmaintaintheenvironment,andstrengthentheadoptionofvariouscorrespondingmeasuresinawaythatmeetstheneedsofeachmemberunderdifferenteconomicdevelopmentlevels;Activelystrivetoensurethatdevelopingcountries,especiallytheleastdevelopedcountries,gainsharesandbenefitsthatarecommensuratewiththeirlevelofeconomicdevelopmentinthegrowthofinternationaltrade;establishanintegratedmultilateraltradingsystem;establishacompletesystemthroughmeasuressuchassubstantialtariffreductionAmoredynamicanddurablemultilateraltradingsystem;withtheprinciplesofopenness,equality,andreciprocity,graduallylowerthetariffandnon-tarifftradebarriersofeachmember,andeliminatethediscriminatorytreatmentofeachmemberininternationaltrade.Indealingwiththerelationshipbetweentradeandeconomicundertakingsamongthemembersoftheorganization,theaimistoimprovelivingstandards,ensurefullemployment,guaranteethehugeandcontinuousgrowthofrealincomeandeffectivedemand,expandthefulluseofworldresources,anddevelopcommodityproductionandexchange.,Strivetoreachmutuallybeneficialagreements,drasticallyreducetariffsandothertradebarriersandpoliticaldiscriminationininternationaltrade.
ThegoaloftheWTOistoestablishacompletemultilateraltradingsystemthatincludesgoods,services,trade-relatedinvestmentsandintellectualpropertyrights,etc.,whichismoredynamicandlasting,toincludetheliberalizationoftheGATT.AndalltheresultsoftheUruguayRoundofmultilateraltradenegotiations.
Basicprinciples
Reciprocity
ReciprocityTheprinciple,alsocalledtheprincipleofreciprocity,meansthattwomembersgiveeachotherpreferentialtreatmentininternationaltrade.Itclarifiesthebasicpositionsthatmembersmustadoptintariffandtradenegotiationsandwhatkindoftraderelationsmustbeestablishedbetweenthem.
TheprincipleofreciprocityoftheWorldTradeOrganizationismainlyembodiedinthefollowingforms:
1.Reducetariffsornon-tariffmeasuresbyholdingmultilateraltradenegotiations,andofferothermembersreciprocallyOpeningupthedomesticmarkettoobtainopportunitiesfordomesticproductsorservicestoenterothermembermarketsistheso-called"investinginpeaches"and"repayingtheminreturn."
2.WhenacountryorregionappliestojointheWorldTradeOrganization,sincenewmemberscanenjoythepreferentialtreatmentofopenmarketsthatalloldmembershavereachedinthepast,oldmemberswillunanimouslyrequirenewmemberstofollowThecurrentWTOagreementsandagreementsprovideforpaymentof"entryfees"-openinguptheapplicant'scommodityorservicemarket.
3.Mutualtradeisthemaintoolforachievingeconomicandtradecooperationwithothermembersintheprocessofmultilateraltradenegotiationsandtradeliberalization.ThehistoryoftheGeneralAgreementonTariffsandTradeandtheWorldTradeOrganizationhasfullydemonstratedthatthebenefitsofmultilateraltradeliberalizationtoamemberarefargreaterthanthebenefitsofacountry’sunilateralimplementationoftradeliberalization.Becausewhenacountryunilaterallydecidestoliberalizetariffandnon-tarifftradeingoodsandopentheservicemarket,thebenefitsitobtainsmainlydependontheresponseofothertradingpartnerstosuchliberalizationreforms.Iftheresponseisgood,itmeansIfconcessionsarealsograntedinotherplaces,thebenefitswillbegreater;otherwise,thebenefitswillbesmaller.
Onthecontrary,undertheWTOsystem,sinceamember’stradeliberalizationiscarriedoutwithinthescopeofobtainingtheopenmarketcommitmentsofexistingmembers,theactualbenefitsbroughtbysuchtradeliberalizationreformsarenaturallyTheWorldTradeOrganization’sinstitutionalguaranteeisnotasuncertainastheinterestsofunilateralorbilateraltradeliberalization.Therefore,multilateraltradeliberalizationisbetterthanunilateraltradeliberalization,especiallyforalargedevelopingcountrylikeChina.
Theprincipleoftransparency
Theprincipleoftransparency(Transparency)referstotheThetrademeasuresformulatedandimplementedandtheirchangesshallbeannounced.Measuresthathavenotbeenannouncedshallnotbeimplemented.Atthesametime,thesetrademeasuresandtheirchangesshallbenotifiedtotheWorldTradeOrganization.Inaddition,therelevantinternationalagreementsthatthememberpartiesparticipateinthataffectinternationaltradepoliciesshouldalsobeannouncedandnotifiedtotheWorldTradeOrganizationinatimelymanner.
TheprincipleoftransparencyisanimportantprincipleoftheWorldTradeOrganization.ItisembodiedinthemainagreementsandagreementsoftheWorldTradeOrganization.Accordingtothisprinciple,membersoftheWorldTradeOrganizationneedtoannouncetheeffectiveimplementationofcurrenttradepoliciesandregulations:
(1)Customsregulations.Thatis,thecustoms'rulesonproductclassificationandvaluationmethods,thecustomsdutiesandtaxesandotherfeesleviedonimportandexportgoods;
(2)relevantlawsandadministrativerulesandregulationsforimportandexportmanagement;
(3)Domestictaxes,lawsandregulationsrelatedtoimportandexportcommodities;
(4)Relatedlawsandregulationsonimportandexportcommodityinspectionandquarantine;
(5)Foreignexchangemanagementrelatedtoimportandexportgoodsandtheirpayment,andgenerallawsandregulationsonforeignexchangemanagement;
(6)Legislationandrulesandregulationsontheuseofforeigncapital;
(7)Regulationsandregulationsrelatedtotheprotectionofintellectualpropertyrights;
(8)Regulationsandregulationsrelatedtoexportprocessingzones,freetradezones,bordertradezones,andspecialeconomiczones;
(9)relatedLawsandregulationsontradeinservices;
(10)Arbitrationrulesandregulations;
(11)CurrentbilateralormultilateraltradepoliciessignedbymembergovernmentsandtheirinstitutionsAgreements,agreements;
(12)Otherdomesticlegislationoradministrativeregulationsaffectingtradebehavior.
Theprincipleoftransparencystipulatesthatallmembersshallimplementtheabove-mentionedrelevantlaws,regulations,judgmentsanddecisionsinafair,reasonableanduniformmanner.Uniformityrequiresthattherelevantlawsandregulationsgoverningtradewithintheterritoryofthemembersshouldnotbetreateddifferently.Thatis,thecentralgovernmentshalluniformlypromulgaterelevantpoliciesandregulations,andthelawsandregulationspromulgatedbylocalgovernmentsontheabove-mentionedmattersshallnotconflictwiththecentralgovernmentinanyway.However,specialadministrativeregionsandlocalgovernmentsauthorizedbythecentralgovernmentareexcluded.Fairnessandreasonablenessrequirememberstoimplementtheprincipleofnon-discriminationintheimplementationoflawsandregulations.
Theprincipleoftransparencyalsostipulatesthat,inviewoftheneedforinspectionandcorrectionofcustomsadministrativeactions,membersarerequiredtoretainorestablishjudicialorarbitraloradministrativeinstitutionsandproceduresassoonaspossible.Suchcourtsorproceduresareindependentoftheagencyresponsibleforadministrativeenforcement.Exceptthattheimportercanappealtoahighercourtoragencywithinthepermittedappealperiod,thedecisionwillbeenforcedbytheseagencies.
Theprincipleoftransparencyhasplayedaveryimportantroleintherealizationoffairtradeandcompetition.
MarketAccessPrinciples
WorldTradeOrganizationMarketAccessPrinciples(MarketAccess)Itisvisibleandgrowing.Itaimstorequirecountriestoopenuptheirmarkets.Itisplannedandstep-by-steptoachievemaximumtradeliberalizationinstages.Themaincontentofthemarketaccessprincipleincludestariffprotectionandconcession,theremovalofquantitativerestrictionsandtheprincipleoftransparency.TheWorldTradeOrganizationadvocatestheultimateeliminationofalltradebarriers,includingtariffsandnon-tariffbarriers.AlthoughtariffbarriersarestillalegalprotectionmethodallowedbytheWorldTradeOrganization,theleveloftariffsmustcontinuetodecline.
PrinciplesofPromotingFairCompetition
TheWorldTradeOrganizationdoesnotallowcontractingpartiestotradeunfairlyMeansforunfaircompetition.Theexportofgoodsintheformofdumpingandsubsidiesisparticularlyprohibited.Dumpingandsubsidiesareclearlystipulated,andspecificanddetailedimplementationmeasureshavebeenformulated.TheWorldTradeOrganizationadvocatesadoptingfairtrademethodsforfaircompetition..
Theprincipleofeconomicdevelopment
Alsoknownastheprincipleofencouragingeconomicdevelopmentandeconomicreform,thisprincipleWiththepurposeofhelpingandpromotingtherapideconomicdevelopmentofdevelopingcountries,itisformulatedfordevelopingcountriesandeconomicallyconnectedcountries.Itisaspecialpreferentialtreatmentgiventothesecountries,suchasallowingdevelopingcountriestoimplementimportquantityrestrictionsorincreasewithinacertainrange.The“governmentassistancetoeconomicdevelopment”clauseoftariffsonlyrequiresdevelopedcountriestounilaterallyassumeobligationswhiledevelopingcountriesenjoycertainpreferential“tradeanddevelopmentclauses”,andestablishesthatdevelopedcountriesgrantmorereformstodevelopingcountriesandcountriesintransition.ThelegalityoflongtransitionaltreatmentandGSPtreatment.
Theprincipleofnon-discrimination
Thisprincipleincludestwoaspects,oneisthemostfavorednationTreatment,theotherisnationaltreatment.Membersgenerallycannotdiscriminatebetweentradingpartners;thepreferencesgiventoonemembershouldalsobegiventoothermembers.Thisisthemost-favored-nationtreatment.Thisprincipleisveryimportant.ItranksfirstintheGeneralAgreementonTariffsandTrade,whichgovernstradeingoods,thesecondintheGeneralAgreementonTradeinServices,andthefirstintheAgreementonTrade-RelatedIntellectualPropertyRights.Four.Therefore,themost-favoured-nationtreatmentappliestoallthreetradeareasoftheWorldTradeOrganization.Nationaltreatmentmeansthatforeigngoods,servicesandintellectualpropertyrightsshouldbetreatedthesameaslocalones.Thefundamentalpurposeofmost-favoured-nationtreatmentistoensurethatothercontractingpartiesoutsidethecountrycancompetefairlywithenterprisesfromothercountriesinthedomesticmarket.Theprincipleofnon-discriminationisthecornerstoneoftheWorldTradeOrganization,animportantmeanstoavoidtradediscriminationandfriction,andanimportantguaranteeforachievingequaltradeamongcountries.
1.Theprincipleofmost-favoured-nationtreatment:Amemberwillgivepreferentialtreatmenttoanyothercountryinthefieldsoftradeingoods,servicetradeandintellectualpropertyrights,andgiveothermembersimmediatelyandunconditionally.
Keypoints:
a.Automaticity:immediateandunconditional;
b.Identity:thebeneficiariesmustbethesame;
c.Mutuality:boththebeneficiaryandthebeneficiary,assumeobligationsandenjoyrightsatthesametime;
d.Universality:Applicabletoallimportandexportproducts,servicetrade,andallsectorsandalltypesofknowledgePropertyownersandholders.
Exceptions:
A.Regionaleconomicarrangementsintheformofcustomsunionsandfreetradeareas,whicharemorepreferentialthanmost-favored-nationtreatmentintheseregions,andtheworldoutsidetheregionTradeorganizationmembershavenorighttoenjoy;
B.Specialanddifferentialtreatmentfordevelopingmembers,suchasthegeneralsystemofpreferences;
C.GiveneighboringcountriesinbordertradeFormoretradefacilitation;
D.Inthefieldofintellectualpropertyrights,memberpartiesareallowedtoreserveexceptionsregardingtherightsenjoyedingeneraljudicialassistanceinternationalagreements.
2.Theprincipleofnationaltreatment:thetreatmentprovidedtoothermembers’products,servicesandserviceprovidersandintellectualpropertyownersandholdersshallnotbelowerthanthatprovidedbysimilarproducts,servicesandservicesinthecountryAndthetreatmentenjoyedbyownersandholdersofintellectualpropertyrights.
Keypoints:
a.Applicableobjectsareproduct,serviceandserviceprovidersandintellectualpropertyownersandholders,butbecauseofthedifferentspecificbeneficiariesinthesefields,nationalsThescopeofapplication,specificrulesandimportanceofthetreatmentclausesaredifferent;
b.Products,servicesandserviceprovidersandintellectualpropertyownersandholdersthatonlyinvolveothermembersareinvolvedinimportingmembers.Thetreatmentenjoyedwithintheterritory;
c.Themeaningofthetermnolessthaninthedefinitionmeansthattheproducts,servicesandserviceprovidersofothermembersandtheownersandholdersofintellectualpropertyrightsshouldbeImportingmembersofsimilarproducts,sameservicesandserviceproviders,andownersandholdersofintellectualpropertyrightsenjoythesametreatment.Iftheimportingmembergivestheformerhighertreatment,itdoesnotviolatetheprincipleofnationaltreatment.
Mainfunctions
Basicfunctions
DevelopsupervisionandmanagementAndimplementthemultilateralandplurilateraltradeagreementsthattogetherconstitutetheWorldTradeOrganization;serveasaforumformultilateraltradenegotiations;seektoresolvetradedisputes;monitortradepoliciesofvariousmembers,andcooperatewithotherinternationalinstitutionsrelatedtotheformulationofglobaleconomicpolicies.
ThegoaloftheWorldTradeOrganizationistoestablishacomplete,moredynamicandpermanentmultilateraltradingsystem.ComparedwiththeGeneralAgreementonTariffsandTrade,thescopeoftheWTO’sjurisdictionincludestraditionalandtheUruguayRoundofgoodstrade,aswellasintellectualpropertyrights,investmentmeasures,andnon-goodstrade(servicetrade)thathavebeenoutsidetheGATTforalongtime.Andotherfields.TheWorldTradeOrganizationhasthestatusofalegalperson,andithashigherauthorityandeffectivenessinmediatingdisputesamongmembers.
Fivefunctions
Managementfunctions:TheWorldTradeOrganizationisresponsibleforthetradepoliciesofitsmembersSuperviseandmanagelawsandregulations,andreviewthemregularlytoensuretheirlegitimacy.
Organizationalfunctions:Inordertoachievetheestablishedgoalsofvariousagreementsandagreements,theWorldTradeOrganizationhastherighttoorganizeandimplementvarioustradeagreementsandagreementsunderitsjurisdiction,andactivelytakevariouseffectivemeasures.
Coordinationfunction:TheWorldTradeOrganizationcoordinatesitsrelationswithinternationalorganizationsandinstitutionssuchastheInternationalMonetaryFundandtheWorldBanktoensuretheconsistencyandcohesionofglobaleconomicdecision-making.
Regulatoryfunction:Whendisputesandconflictsoccurbetweenmembers,theWorldTradeOrganizationisresponsibleforresolvingthem.
Providefunctions:TheWorldTradeOrganizationprovidesitsmemberswithavenuefornegotiationandrelatedmattersofvariousagreementsandagreements,andprovidesnecessarytechnicalassistancetodevelopingcountriestohelptheirdevelopment.
Basicrights
(1)Enableproductsandservicesandintellectualpropertyrightsin150Themembersenjoyunconditional,multilateral,permanentandstablemost-favoured-nationtreatmentandnationaltreatment;
(2)Theindustrialproductsandsemi-manufacturedproductsexportedbymostdevelopedcountriesreceivetheGSPtreatment;
p>(3)Enjoymostofthepreferentialortransitionalarrangementsofdevelopingcountrymembers;
(4)EnjoythebenefitsofopeninguporexpandingmarketaccessforgoodsandservicesbyotherWorldTradeOrganizationmembers;
(5)UsethedisputesettlementmechanismoftheWorldTradeOrganizationtofairly,objectivelyandreasonablyresolveeconomicandtradefrictionswithothercountriesandcreateagoodenvironmentforeconomicandtradedevelopment;
(6)Participateintheactivitiesofthemultilateraltradingsystemtoobtainthedecision-makingpowerofinternationaleconomicandtraderules;
(7)EnjoytherightofWTOmemberstousevariousrules,takeexceptions,andguaranteemeasurestopromotetheirowneconomicandtradedevelopment.
Basicobligations
(1)Intermsofgoods,services,intellectualpropertyrights,etc.,AccordingtotheprovisionsoftheWorldTradeOrganization,othermembersaregrantedmost-favored-nationtreatmentandnationaltreatment;
(2)AccordingtotherelevantagreementsoftheWorldTradeOrganization,expandthemarketaccessofgoodsandservices,thatis,specificrequirementsforloweringtariffsandregulationsNon-tariffmeasures,andgraduallyexpandtheopeningoftheservicetrademarket;
(3)FurtherregulatetheprotectionofintellectualpropertyrightsaccordingtotheprovisionsoftheIntellectualPropertyAgreement;
(4)AccordingtothedisputesettlementmechanismandotherMembersresolvetradefrictionsfairlyandcannotengageinunilateralretaliation;
(5)Increasethetransparencyoftradepoliciesandregulations;
(6)Regulateinvestmentmeasuresforforeigninvestmentingoodstrade;
(7)Payacertainmembershipfeeaccordingtotheproportionoftheworld’sexports.
Institutionalsettings
Meetingmechanism
MinisterLevelMeeting
ThehighestauthorityoftheWTO.Itiscomposedofalltheministersinchargeofforeigntradeandeconomiccooperation,deputyministerialofficialsortheirplenipotentiaryrepresentatives.Theministerialconferenceisheldatleastonceeverytwoyears.Theministerialconferencehasawiderangeofpowers,including:legislativepower;quasi-judicialpower;Obligationsunderspecificcircumstances;toapproveapplicationsforobtainingWTOobserverqualificationssubmittedbynon-WTOmembers.
Permanentestablishment
GeneralCouncil
DuringtheadjournmentoftheCouncilofMinisters,theGeneralCouncilcomposedofrepresentativesofallmemberswillactonbehalfoftheCouncilofMinisters.TheGeneralCouncilmaymeetatanytimeasnecessarytodrawupitsownrulesofprocedureandagenda.Meetingsareheldatanytimetoperformitsdutiesofresolvingtradedisputesandreviewingtradepoliciesofeachmember.
TheGeneralCouncilconsistsoftheGoodsTradeCouncil,theServiceTradeCouncil,andtheIntellectualPropertyCouncil.Thesecouncilsmaydrafttheirownrulesofprocedureaccordingtothesituation,andimplementthemafterbeingapprovedbythegeneralcouncil.Allmemberscanparticipateineachcouncil.
Specialcommittees
Specialcommitteesaresetupundertheministerialmeetingsofspecialcommitteestodealwithspecifictradeandotherrelatedmatters.Morethan10specialcommitteeshavebeenestablished,includingtheTradeandDevelopmentCommittee;theInternationalBalanceofPaymentsRestrictionCommittee;theBudget,FinanceandAdministrationCommittee;andtheTradeandEnvironmentCommittee.
SecretariatandDirector-General
SecretariatandDirector-General:SecretariatstaffareappointedbytheDirector-GeneralandtheyaredeterminedaccordingtotherulesadoptedbytheCouncilofMinistersResponsibilitiesandconditionsofservice.
TheCouncilofMinistersclarifiedthepowers,responsibilities,conditionsofserviceandtermrulesoftheDirector-General.TheDirector-GeneraloftheWorldTradeOrganizationmainlyhasthefollowingresponsibilities:hecanexertmaximuminfluenceonthemembersandrequirethemtoabidebytherulesoftheWorldTradeOrganization;theDirector-GeneralshouldconsiderandforeseethebestdevelopmentpolicyoftheWorldTradeOrganization;andhelpmemberssolvetheirproblems.Responsiblefortheworkofthesecretariat,managingthebudgetandadministrativeaffairsrelatedtoallmembers;presidingoverconsultationsandinformalnegotiationstoavoiddisputes.
Members
AsofMarch2020,theofficialwebsiteshowsthattheWorldTradeOrganizationhas164members.WTOmembersaredividedintofourcategories:developedmembers,developingmembers,andtransitioneconomiesmembersAndtheleastdevelopedmembers.
AnycountryoracustomsterritorywithafullyautonomoustradepolicyiseligibletojointheWorldTradeOrganizationandbecomeitsmember.
Members
Year | JoinMember | |||
1995 | AntiguaandBarbuda | Australia | Bahrain | Barbados |
Gabon | Hungary | Honduras | EuropeanUnion | |
Guyana | Ghana | Finland | MultiplemetersNepal | |
NewZealand | Namibia | Mexico | Malaysia | |
Luxembourg | Kuwait | Kenya | India | |
Japan | Ireland | Denmark | Cameroon | |
UnitedKingdom | Uganda | Tanzania | Sweden | |
Suriname | Spain | Slovakia | SaintLucia | |
Senegal | Peru | Pakistan | Norway | |
Iceland | Greece | Germany | France | |
CostaRica | Chile | Brunei | Belgium | |
Austria | Argentina | Zambia | Uruguay | |
SaintVincentandtheGrenadines | p>Romania | Portugal | Philippines | |
Paraguay | Nigeria | Netherlands | Myanmar | |
Morocco | Mauritius | Malta | Macao,China | |
Israel p> | Cuba | Jamaica | Turkey | |
Tunisia | Dominica | Zimbabwe | SriLanka | |
TrinidadandTobago | Bangladesh | Venezuela | Singapore | tr>|
UnitedStates | Thailand | Swaziland | SouthAfrica | |
Mauritania | Mali | Guinea-Bissau | ElSalvador | |
Botswana | Togo | CentralAfrica | Colombia | |
Malawi | Maldives | Lesotho | Djibouti | |
Poland | Indonesia | SouthKorea | HongKong,China | |
BoLeeds | Brazil | Canada | Côted’Ivoire | |
CzechRepublic | Switzerland | BurkinaFaso | Egypt | |
Guatemala | Burundi | SierraLeone | Cyprus | |
Slovenia | Mozambique | Liechtenstein | Nicaragua | |
Bolivia | Guinea | Madagascar | ||
1996 | St.KittsAndNevis | Qatar | Grenada | Benin |
UnitedArabEmirates | Fiji | Ecuador | Haiti | p>|
Bulgaria | Niger | Gambia | Angola | |
Chad | SolomonIslands | PapuaNewGuinea | Rwanda | |
1997 | Congo(Kinshasa) | Mongolia | Congo(Brazzaville) | Panama |
1998 | Kyrgyzstan | |||
1999 | Latvia | Estonia | ||
2000 | Jordan | Georgia | Albania | Oman |
Croatia | ||||
2001 | Lithuania | Moldova | People’sRepublicofChina | |
2002 | Taiwan,Penghu,Jinmaandindividualtariffareas | |||
2003 | Armenia | Macedonia | ||
2004 | Nepal | Cambodia | ||
2005 | SaudiArabia | td> | ||
2006 | Vietnam | |||
2007 | Tonga | |||
2008 | Ukraine | CapeVerde | ||
2012 | Montenegro | Samoa | Russia | Vanuatu | tr>
2013 | Laos | Tajikistan | Yemen | |
2015 | Seychelles | Kazakhstan | Liberia | Afghanistan |
MemberInformation: |
Observer
Algeria | Andorra | Azerbaijan | Bahamas |
Belarus | BosniaandHerzegovina | Comoros | Curaçao |
EquatorialGuinea | Ethiopia | HolySee | Iran |
Iraq | LebaneseRepublic | Libya | SaoTomeandPrincipe |
Serbia | Somali | SouthSudan | Sudan |
SyrianArabRepublic p> | EastTimor | Uzbekistan | Bhutan |
Observerinformation: |
TreatyRegulations
TreatyAgreements
BaliMinisterialDeclaration,SingaporeMinisterialDeclaration,SingaporeDeclaration,MinisterialConferenceDeclaration,MinisterialDeclaration,Asia-PacificInformationInfrastructureSeoulDeclaration,JointDeclaration,BogorDeclaration,OsakaActionAgenda,GoldCoastDeclaration,CancunDeclaration,ActionPlan
Regulations
MutualRecognitionArrangement(MRA)""GeneralAgreementonTariffsandTrade","GeneralAgreementonTradeinServices","Trade-RelatedIntellectualPropertyAgreement","IntellectualPropertyAgreement","MarrakeshAgreementEstablishingtheWorldTradeOrganization","MultilateralAgreementonTradeinGoods","ServicesGeneralAgreementonTrade"Trade-relatedKnowledgePropertyRightsAgreement,"UnderstandingonDisputeSettlementRulesandProcedures","TradePolicyReviewMechanism","MarrakeshAgreementEstablishingtheWorldTradeOrganization","UnderstandingonWorldTradeOrganizationDisputeSettlementRulesandProcedures"
Managementcollective
January1,1995-May1,1995 | PeterSutherland | Ireland |
May1,1995-September1,1999 | RenatoRuggiero | Italy |
September1,1999-September1,2002 | MichaelMoore | NewZealand |
September1,2002—September1,2005 | SupachaiPanipati | Thailand |
September1,2005-September1,2013Day | PascalLamy | France |
September1,2013-August31,2020 | RobertoAzevedo | Brazil |
20213From1sttoAugust31st,2025 | NgoziOconcho-Ibeala | Nigeria |
CulturalTradition
ImageLogo
OnOctober9,1997,theWorldTradeOrganizationlaunchedanewlogo.Thelogoiscomposedofsixupwardcurvedarcs,theupperthreeandthelowerthreeareinred,blue,andgreencolors.ThelogomeansthatthevibrantWorldTradeOrganizationwillplayakeyroleinthesustainedandorderlyexpansionofworldtrade.ThespherecomposedofsixarcsindicatesthattheWorldTradeOrganizationisaninternationalorganizationcomposedofdifferentmembers.Thelogoisdynamicafteralongtime,symbolizingthevitalityoftheWorldTradeOrganization.ThedesignerofthelogoisYangShufromSingapore.HerdesignadoptsthegesturesoftraditionalChinesecalligraphy.Thesixarcshavetherhythmofbrushcalligraphystartingandending.
Organizationlanguage
TheofficiallanguagesoftheWorldTradeOrganizationareEnglish,FrenchandSpanish.Ithaslegaleffect;thesignificanceofincludingEnglish,French,andSpanishtextsisthatwhendisputeswithWTOmembersoccur,theprovisionsinthesetextscanbedirectlyinvokedandapplied,andhaveformallegaleffect;theyincludethelegaldocumentsofChina’saccessiontotheWTO.Chinesetranslation,sothatreaderswhoarenotaccustomedtoreadingforeignlanguagescanlearnandmasterWTOrules.
Significanceofevaluation
MaintainingthemultilateraltradingsystemwiththeWorldTradeOrganizationasthecoreisofgreatsignificanceforpromotinginternationaltradeandthestabledevelopmentoftheworldeconomy.TheWorldTradeOrganizationhascreatednewmechanismsandproceduresforresolvingglobaltradedisputes,includingsettingupadisputesettlementmechanismanditsappellatebody,andestablishingarulingmechanismwiththeenforcementeffectofinternationallaw.Therefore,itiscalledaninternationalorganizationwith“teeth”.(ChinaNewsNetworkReview)