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Is It Time to Re-think the WTO? A Return to the Basics

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  • Kerr, William A.

Abstract

The GATT was an organization that was seldom at the centre of political controversy, nor was it the object of virulent protest. The WTO, which succeeded it, however, has not enjoyed the GATT's anonymity. The controversies surrounding the WTO detract from its effectiveness and debase its credibility. In large measure, the contentious issues that the WTO has been attempting to deal with since its inception do not have at their heart trade in goods and services. The framers of the WTO took bold steps to create a new institution during the Uruguay Round--much of which has turned out to be a significant improvement on the GATT. This does not mean, however, that everything that was put in place has proved to be an improvement, or even workable. It may be time to consider returning the WTO to its basic function--providing a set of rules for the conduct of trade in goods and services.

Suggested Citation

  • Kerr, William A., 2000. "Is It Time to Re-think the WTO? A Return to the Basics," Estey Centre Journal of International Law and Trade Policy, Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade, vol. 1(2), pages 1-9.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:ecjilt:23842
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.23842
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Perdikis, Nicholas, 2000. "A Conflict of Legitimate Concerns or Pandering to Vested Interests? Conflicting Attitudes Towards the Regulation of Trade in Genetically Modified Goods - The EU and the US," Estey Centre Journal of International Law and Trade Policy, Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade, vol. 1(1), pages 1-15.
    2. Nick Perdikis & William A. Kerr, 1999. "Can Consumer-based Demands for Protection be Incorporated in the WTO? - The Case of Genetically Modified Foods," Canadian Journal of Agricultural Economics/Revue canadienne d'agroeconomie, Canadian Agricultural Economics Society/Societe canadienne d'agroeconomie, vol. 47(4), pages 457-465, December.
    3. William A. Kerr, 1999. "International Trade in Transgenic Food Products: A New Focus for Agricultural Trade Disputes," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(2), pages 245-259, March.
    4. Gordon, Daniel V. & Hannesson, Rognvaldur & Kerr, William A., 2001. "Of fish and whales: the credibility of threats in international trade disputes," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 23(1), pages 83-98, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kerr, William A., 2006. "Enjoying a Good Port with a Clear Conscience: Geographic Indicators, Rent Seeking and Development," Estey Centre Journal of International Law and Trade Policy, Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade, vol. 7(1), pages 1-14.
    2. Kerr, William A., 2007. "Too Smart for Their Own Good! Complexity, Capacity and Credence in Trade Negotiations," Estey Centre Journal of International Law and Trade Policy, Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade, vol. 8(2), pages 1-14.
    3. Kerr. William Alexander, 2022. "he Rules of Trade in the Face of Long Running Disequilibrium," Estey Centre Journal of International Law and Trade Policy, Estey Centre for Law and Economics in International Trade, vol. 23(1), June.

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