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Addressing tensions and avoiding disputes: Specific trade concerns in the TBT Committee

Author

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  • Holzer, Kateryna

Abstract

Most specific trade concerns (STCs), which are raised before the WTO Committee on Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT Committee), disappear from the TBT Committee's meeting agendas without escalating into formal disputes. At the same time, a relatively small number of TBT-related disputes have been subject to the WTO dispute settlement procedures. By examining the practice of raising STCs and the relationship between STCs and disputes, the paper emphasises the role of STCs as a trade tension resolution mechanism. It argues that the STC mechanism is a viable alternative to the currently overburdened WTO dispute settlement system. The paper also suggests ways to strengthen the STC mechanism of the TBT Committee through dividing TBT Committee meetings into thematic sessions, adopting mediation procedures and reporting on STC resolutions. Further, it underscores the importance of increasing transparency and promoting good regulatory practice in avoiding disputes.

Suggested Citation

  • Holzer, Kateryna, 2018. "Addressing tensions and avoiding disputes: Specific trade concerns in the TBT Committee," WTO Staff Working Papers ERSD-2018-11, World Trade Organization (WTO), Economic Research and Statistics Division.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:wtowps:ersd201811
    DOI: 10.30875/09839801-en
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Gründler, Klaus & Hillman, Arye L., 2021. "Ambiguous protection," European Journal of Political Economy, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    2. Possada, Kian Cássehgari & Ganne, Emmanuelle & Piermartini, Roberta, 2022. "The Role of WTO Committees through the Lens of Specific Trade Concerns Raised in the TBT Committee," World Trade Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 21(4), pages 411-431, October.
    3. Robert Wolfe, 2020. "Reforming WTO Conflict Management. Why and How to Improve the Use of “Specific Trade Concerns”," RSCAS Working Papers 2020/53, European University Institute.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    specific trade concerns; technical barriers to trade; TBT Agreement; TBT Committee; trade disputes;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F53 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations
    • F55 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Institutional Arrangements
    • K33 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - International Law
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality

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