Final Exam Flashcards
Requirements for international trade
(1) good governance | (2) reduction of trade barriers | (3) more aid of development | (4) improved international cooperation & global governance
international trade rules are necessary to
(1) restrain countries from taking trade-restrictive measures | (2) provide security and predictability | (3) allow effective protection and promotion of societal values (i.e. public health, sustainable environment, consumer safety, cultural identity, minimum labor standards) | (4) achieve greater measure of equity in international economic relations
5 groups of basic rules of WTO law
(1) non-discrimination | (2) market access | (3) unfair trade | (4) conflict between trade liberalization and other societal values | (4) institutional and procedural
Sources of WTO Law
WTO Agreement [January 1, 1995]: primary source of WTO law; comprised of 16 Articles; established WTO; also established GATT 1994, GATS, TRIPS Agreement, and DSU | Other sources: [assist in clarifying and defining] dispute settlement reports, acts/agreements/practices/negotiations of WTO bodies, CIL, etc.
timeline from the GATT to the WTO
Gatt 1947 (US called for meeting to make multilateral agreement after WWII) –> stillbirth of ITO at same time –> Uruguay Round Negotiations (1993) –> creation of WTO (signed in Marrakesh)
objectives of WTO
(1) increase in standards of living, (2) attainment of full employment, (3) growth of real income and effective demand, (4) expansion of production of and trade in goods and services
means of obtaining WTO objectives
(1) reduction of tariff barriers/other barriers to trade, and (2) elimination of discriminatory treatment in international trade
functions of WTO
[six widely defined functions] (1) the facilitation of the implementation of the WTO agreements; (2) negotiations on new trade rules; (3) the settlement of disputes; (4) trade policy review; (5) cooperation with other organizations; and (6) technical assistance to developing countries
overarching primary function of WTO
to provide the common institutional framework for the conduct of trade relations among its Members
types of WTO memberships
(1) original (available at time of establishment), and (2) accession (need to accept terms & negotiate two things: 1. that practices are/will be made consistent, and 2. “entry ticket” concessions)
3 categories of WTO members
(1) developed, (2) developing, (3) least-developed (latter two sometimes receive special helpful treatment)
WTO form of decision-making
consensus (subjects WTO to paralysis) (if not available, each member gets on vote except EU)
structure of WTO
Ministerial Conference (highest level), General Council (second level, DSB, trade policy review body), Specialized councils, committees, working parties/groups (lower levels)
2 main rules of non-discrimination in WTO law
(1) MFN treatment obligation, and (2) national treatment obligation
MFN treatment obligation (GATT)
prohibits a country from favoring products, services, or service suppliers from some countries over like products, services, or service suppliers from other countries
GATT MFN 4 questions to determine whether a measure affecting trade in goods is consistent with the MFN treatment obligation
(1) whether the measure at issue is covered by Article I:1 | (2) whether the measure grants an advantage | (3) whether the products concerned are like products | (4) whether the advantage at issue is accorded immediately and unconditionally to all like products concerned irrespective of their origin or destination
national treatment obligation (GATT)
prohibits countries from favoring their own products, services, or service suppliers over like products, services, or service suppliers from other countries
GATT national treatment obligation 3 questions to determine whether a regulation affecting trade in goods is consistent with the national treatment obligation
(Article III:4) (1) whether the measure at issue is a law, regulation, or requirement covered by Article III:4 | (2) whether the imported and domestic products are like products | (3) whether the imported products are accorded treatment no less favorable
GATT national treatment obligation 4 questions to determine whether an internal tax affecting trade in goods is consistent with the national treatment obligation
(Article III:2) (1) whether the measure at issue is an internal tax or other internal charge on products | (2) whether the imported and domestic products are directly competitive or substitutable | (3) whether these products are dissimilarly taxed | (4) whether the dissimilar taxation is applied so as to afford protection to domestic production
objective and purpose of the DSS
prompt settlement of disputes; security and predictability of multilateral trading system
jurisdiction characteristics of DSS
compulsory, exclusive, contentious with a broad scope
WTO preferred form of dispute settlement
consultations (preferred over adjudication)
3 types of remedy for breach of WTO law
(1) withdrawal (or modification) of the WTO-inconsistent measure | (2) compensation | (3) suspension of concessions or other obligations (retaliation)
meaning of retaliation as a remedy for breach of WTO law; requirements to use retaliation; types
trade sanctions against the respondent; requires no agreement on compensation within 20 days; same sector, same agreement, other sector/other agreement
6 distinguishing features of WTO DSS
(1) short time frame | (1) confidentiality/lack of transparency | (3) burden of proof is on asserting party | (4) important role of private legal counsel | (5) allowance of amicus curiae briefs | (6) Members must act in good faith; panels and AB must ensure due process
2 main categories of barriers to market access
(1) tariff barriers, (2) non-tariff barriers
types of tariff barriers
(a) customs duties on imports (financial charges or taxes on imported goods, due because of their importation) (types of customs duties: ad valorem (proportionate to the estimated value of the goods concerned; most common type), specific, compound, or mixed) (b) other duties and charges on imports (financial charges or taxes levied on imported products and due because of their importation) | (c) export duties (i.e. customs duties and other duties and charges on exports)
types of non-tariff barriers
import bans, quotas, quality conditions, etc.