WTO Accessions and Trade Multilateralism
Case Studies and Lessons from the WTO at Twenty

An examination of how WTO accession negotiations have expanded the reach of the multilateral trading system both geographically and conceptually.

Uri Dadush (Edited by), Chiedu Osakwe (Edited by)

9781107093362, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 September 2015

1010 pages, 79 b/w illus. 50 tables
23.5 x 16.5 x 4.7 cm, 1.69 kg

What have WTO accessions contributed to the rules-based multilateral trading system? What demands have been made by original WTO members on acceding governments? How have the acceding governments fared? This volume of essays offers critical readings on how WTO accession negotiations have expanded the reach of the multilateral trading system not only geographically but also conceptually, clarifying disciplines and pointing the way to their further strengthening in future negotiations. Members who have acceded since the WTO was established now account for twenty per cent of total WTO membership. In the age of globalization there is an increased need for a universal system of trade rules. Accession negotiations have been used by governments as an instrument for domestic reforms, and one lesson from the accession process is that there are contexts which lead multilateral trade negotiations to successful outcomes even in the complex and multi-polar twenty-first century economic environment.

Part I. WTO Accessions, the Trading System and the Global Economy
Part II. Overview
Part III. Members' Perspectives on Accession Negotiations
Part III.I. Original Members
Part III.I. Original Members
Part III.II. Article XII Members
Part IV. Working Party Chairpersons' Perspectives on Accession Negotiations
Part V. Salient Features in WTO Accession Protocols
Part VI. Conclusion.

Subject Areas: International economic & trade law [LBBM]