Here is a list of subtopics under WTO agreements:
- Agriculture
- Anti-dumping
- Customs valuation
- Dispute settlement
- Export subsidies
- General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
- Government procurement
- Intellectual Property Rights
- Market access
- Rules of origin
- Safeguards
- Technical barriers to trade
- Trade-related InvestmentInvestment measures (TRIMs)
- Trade in services
- Transparency in government procurement
- Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU)
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is an international organization that deals with the rules of trade between nations. It was established in 1995 and has 164 member countries. The WTO’s goal is to help producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their business.
The WTO agreements cover a wide range of topics, including agriculture, anti-dumping, customs valuation, dispute settlement, export subsidies, General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), government procurement, intellectual property rights, market access, rules of origin, safeguards, technical barriers to trade, trade-related investment measures (TRIMs), trade in services, transparency in government procurement, and Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU).
Agriculture
The WTO’s Agreement on Agriculture aims to reduce agricultural subsidies and trade barriers. It also includes provisions on market access, domestic support, and export competition.
Anti-dumping
The WTO’s Anti-Dumping Agreement allows countries to impose duties on imports that are sold at a price below their normal value. This is done to protect domestic industries from unfair competition.
Customs valuation
The WTO’s Agreement on Customs Valuation sets out rules for determining the value of goods for customs purposes. This is important because the value of goods determines the amount of duty that is payable.
Dispute settlement
The WTO’s Dispute Settlement Understanding (DSU) provides a mechanism for resolving trade disputes between member countries. The DSU is a rules-based system that is designed to be fair and impartial.
Export subsidies
The WTO’s Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures prohibits subsidies that are specific to certain industries and that have the effect of distorting trade.
General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
The GATS is a multilateral agreement that sets rules for trade in services. Services include things like banking, insurance, telecommunications, and tourism.
Government procurement
The WTO’s Agreement on Government Procurement sets rules for how governments should purchase goods and services from foreign suppliers.
Intellectual property rights
The WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) sets minimum standards for the protection of intellectual property rights, such as patents, copyrights, and trademarks.
Market access
The WTO’s Agreement on Market Access sets rules for how countries can restrict imports. These rules are designed to ensure that countries do not use trade restrictions to protect their domestic industries from foreign competition.
Rules of origin
The WTO’s Agreement on Rules of Origin sets rules for determining the country of origin of goods. This is important because the country of origin determines which trade agreements apply to the goods.
Safeguards
The WTO’s Agreement on Safeguards allows countries to temporarily raise tariffs or other trade barriers to protect domestic industries from sudden surges in imports.
Technical barriers to trade
The WTO’s Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade sets rules for how countries can regulate products to ensure their safety and quality. These rules are designed to ensure that countries do not use technical regulations as disguised barriers to trade.
Trade-related investment measures (TRIMs)
The WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures prohibits certain investment measures that can have the effect of distorting trade.
Trade in services
The GATS is a multilateral agreement that sets rules for trade in services. Services include things like banking, insurance, telecommunications, and tourism.
Transparency in government procurement
The WTO’s Agreement on Transparency in Government Procurement sets rules for how governments should publish information about their procurement activities. This is important because it helps businesses to compete for government contracts.
Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU)
The DSU is a rules-based system that is designed to be fair and impartial. It provides a mechanism for resolving trade disputes between member countries.
The WTO agreements are designed to promote trade and economic growth. They do this by reducing tariffs and other trade barriers, by providing a framework for resolving trade disputes, and by promoting the harmonization of trade-related laws and regulations. The WTO agreements have been successful in reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. They have also been successful in resolving trade disputes. However, the WTO agreements have not been successful in harmonizing trade-related laws and regulations. This is because countries have different interests and priorities.
Here are frequently asked questions and short answers about the topics under WTO agreements:
Agriculture
What is the Agreement on Agriculture?
The Agreement on Agriculture is a multilateral agreement under the World Trade Organization (WTO) that sets out rules for agricultural trade. It was signed in 1994 and came into effect in 1995.
- What are the main objectives of the Agreement on Agriculture?
The main objectives of the Agreement on Agriculture are to:
* Increase market access for agricultural products
* Reduce export subsidies
* Reduce domestic support
* Reform trade in agricultural products
- What are some of the key provisions of the Agreement on Agriculture?
Some of the key provisions of the Agreement on Agriculture include:
* Tariffication: This requires countries to convert all non-tariff barriers to trade in agricultural products into tariffs.
* Domestic support: This is limited to certain types of support, such as direct payments to farmers, and is subject to limits.
* Export subsidies: These are prohibited, except for a limited number of exceptions.
* Market access: Countries must provide minimum access opportunities for agricultural products from other countries.
Anti-dumping
What is anti-dumping?
Anti-dumping is a trade policy that is used to protect domestic industries from unfair competition from foreign companies that are selling their products at a price below cost.
- How does anti-dumping work?
When a country believes that a foreign company is dumping its products, it can initiate an anti-dumping investigation. If the investigation finds that dumping is occurring, the country can impose anti-dumping duties on the imported products. These duties are designed to offset the unfair advantage that the foreign company is gaining by selling its products at a below-cost price.
- What are the pros and cons of anti-dumping?
The pros of anti-dumping are that it can protect domestic industries from unfair competition and help to ensure that there is a level playing field for all companies. The cons of anti-dumping are that it can lead to higher prices for consumers and can be used as a protectionist tool.
Customs valuation
What is customs valuation?
Customs valuation is the process of determining the value of goods for the purpose of imposing customs duties.
- How is customs valuation done?
There are two main methods of customs valuation:
* The transaction value method: This is the preferred method of valuation and is based on the price actually paid or payable for the goods.
* The alternative methods of valuation: These are used if the transaction value method cannot be used.
- What are the main issues in customs valuation?
Some of the main issues in customs valuation include:
* The definition of "value"
* The determination of the transaction value
* The use of alternative methods of valuation
Dispute settlement
What is dispute settlement?
Dispute settlement is the process by which countries resolve trade disputes.
- How does dispute settlement work?
The WTO dispute settlement system is a two-stage process:
* The first stage is consultation, where the parties to the dispute try to resolve the issue through negotiation.
* If consultation fails, the dispute can be referred to the WTO Dispute Settlement Body (DSB). The DSB appoints a panel of experts to investigate the dispute and make a report.
* The parties to the dispute can appeal the panel's report to the Appellate Body. The Appellate Body's report is final.
* If the DSB adopts the panel's or Appellate Body's report, the parties to the dispute are required to implement the report.
- What are the pros and cons of dispute settlement?
The pros of dispute settlement are that it provides a mechanism for countries to resolve trade disputes peacefully and that it helps to ensure that the rules of the WTO are respected. The cons of dispute settlement are that it can be a lengthy and expensive process and that it can be used as a tool for protectionism.
Export subsidies
What are export subsidies?
Export subsidies are payments or other forms of assistance that are provided by governments to exporters in order to make their products more competitive in international markets.
- How do export subsidies work?
Export subsidies can take a variety of forms, such as direct payments to exporters, tax breaks, or government-provided insurance. They can also take the form of below-cost sales of goods by state-owned enterprises.
- What are the pros and cons of export subsidies?
The pros of
Question 1
Which of the following is not a subtopic under WTO agreements?
(A) Agriculture
(B) Anti-dumping
(CC) Customs valuation
(D) Dispute settlement
(E) Export subsidies
Answer (C)
Question 2
Which of the following is a subtopic under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)?
(A) Agriculture
(B) Anti-dumping
(C) Customs valuation
(D) Dispute settlement
(E) Market access
Answer (E)
Question 3
Which of the following is a subtopic under the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)?
(A) Patents
(B) Copyrights
(C) Trademarks
(D) All of the above
Answer (D)
Question 4
Which of the following is a subtopic under the Agreement on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT)?
(A) Technical regulations
(B) Standards
(C) Conformity assessment procedures
(D) All of the above
Answer (D)
Question 5
Which of the following is a subtopic under the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMs)?
(A) Performance requirements
(B) Local content requirements
(C) Trade balancing requirements
(D) All of the above
Answer (D)
Question 6
Which of the following is a subtopic under the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)?
(A) Market access
(B) National Treatment
(C) Most-favored-nation treatment
(D) All of the above
Answer (D)
Question 7
Which of the following is a subtopic under the Agreement on Government Procurement (GPA)?
(A) Transparency
(B) Non-discrimination
(C) Reciprocity
(D) All of the above
Answer (D)
Question 8
Which of the following is a subtopic under the Understanding on Rules and Procedures Governing the Settlement of Disputes (DSU)?
(A) Consultations
(B) Panel establishment
(C) Appellate review
(D) All of the above
Answer (D)