World Trade Organisation

Question 1

Which organisation uses the term “red box, blue box, amber box” ?

Answer 1

World Trade Organisation

Question 2

What is a box ?

Answer 2

Subsidy in agriculture

Question 3

What is the colour of boxes that don’t distort trade ?

Answer 3

Green

Question 4

Who funds green boxes ?

Answer 4

Governments

Question 5

Examples of green boxes

Answer 5

1. Domestic food aid
2. Farmer training programs
3. Environment and Conservation Programme

Question 6

WTO limit of green box funds ?

Answer 6

No limit

Question 7

What is the colour of box that disturbs trade ?

Answer 7

Amber box

Question 8

How does it disturb trade ?

Answer 8

Price of same product in different country is different

Question 9

Examples of amber boxes ?

Answer 9

Irrigation
Fertilizers
Electricity

Question 10

WTO Limit on amber boxes ?

Answer 10

5-10% of agriculture production depending on whether country is developed or not

Question 11

What are put in boxes that affect the trade but limits farmers production ?

Answer 11

Blue box

Question 12

Example of blue box ?

Answer 12

Number of animals

Question 13

Which treaty was the WTO created in ?

Answer 13

Marrakesh Treaty, 1994

Question 14

Main goals of WTO ?

Answer 14

1. Employee generation
2. Improved living standards
3. Trade Expansion

Question 15

What are the two main duties of the General Council of the WTO ?

Answer 15

1. Dispute Settlement Body

2. Trade Policy Review Body

Question 16

How often does the Ministerial Conference consisting of all members meet ?

Answer 16

2 years

Question 17

What was the major discussion point of the 11th Ministerial Conference this year ?

Answer 17

US-China trade war

Question 18

Two main policies of trade liberalisation ?

Answer 18

1. Non-Discrimination (Don’t distinguish between countries)

2. Reciprocity

Question 19

How does the changing world order affect WTO ?

Answer 19

It used to help the West but now eastern countries are grabbing larger share of world trade

Question 20

What are some loopholes of WTO which developed countries use to their advantage ?

Answer 20

Process is very technical.

Majority is not allowed in green room meetings

Question 21

What are some of the issues developing countries have against pharmaceutical companies ?

Answer 21

Monopolising their patents, increasing the prices.

Question 22

How is the dispute resolution process ?

Answer 22

Lengthy and costly

Question 23

Main reasons for WTO to survive ?

Answer 23

1. They control 98% or world trade
2. Trade lowers poverty and raises standard of living
3. International trade relations are very intricate and need the WTO to stand.

Question 24

What were EU’s main propsals with regards to rule making ?

Answer 24

1. Provide incentives to comply with subsidies
2. Make rules to capture market-distorting support to SEO
3. Address discrimination in foreign investments

Question 25

What were EU’s main propsals with regards to flexibility of development ?

Answer 25

1. The current antiquated approach allows some countries to get differential treatment
2. Move away from blanket exemptions to developing countries

Question 26

What were EU’s main propsals with regards to strengthen procedural aspects of rule making ?

Answer 26

1. Flexible Multilateralism

2. Strengthen secretariat

Question 27

How should WTO move to multilateral structure ?

Answer 27

Like minded countries should discuss common issues

Question 28

What are other changes WTO should do ?

Answer 28

1. Focus on policies for services (which is 66% of world trade, as opposed to goods)
2. Monitor online agreements
3. Collective bargains for like minded countries

Question 29

What were the WTO policies towards inclusion ?

Answer 29

1. E Commerce should help SME, women entrepreneurs
2. Agriculture talks should be for lesser developed countries
3. Social security laws, skill upgradation