The document discusses the evolution of international trade agreements from GATT to the World Trade Organization (WTO). It notes that GATT was formed in 1947 by 23 countries as a set of multilateral trade agreements aimed at reducing tariffs and quotas. Over successive rounds of negotiations, GATT helped lower international trade barriers and increase global commerce. In 1995, WTO was established building upon GATT's achievements and providing stronger mechanisms for liberalizing trade and resolving disputes. Today, WTO oversees global trade rules and agreements covering goods, services, and intellectual property protection between its 153 member countries.

2. 


The prolonged recession before the world war 2nd
& the devastation caused by the world war 2nd led
to the BRETTON WOODS conference resulting in the
formation IMF , IBRD & ITO.
The IMF, IBRD and ITO, were formed in 1945 but
USA didn’t ratify ITO.
23 countries met in Geneva in 1947 & signed a
agreement on tariff & international trade.(GATT)

3. 


Set of multilateral trade agreements aimed
at the abolition of quotas and the reduction
of tariffs among member countries.
Signed on October 30, 1947, by 23 countries
in Geneva (to take effect on January 1, 1948)
It Consists of 8 Rounds – Rounds of trade
negotiations

4. 
Non discrimination
Prohibition of quantitative restrictions

Consultations.

To raise the standard of living.
2. To ensure full employment and a large and
steadily growing volume of real income and
effective demand.
3. To develop the full use of the resource of the
world
4. To expand production and international trade.
1.

5. Country
Year
Countries
Reduction In
Tariffs
In Billions
Geneva(Swiss)
1947
23
45000
$10 billion of
trade which was
20% of global
trade
Annecy
France
1949
13
5000 tariff
-----
Torquay
UK
1950
38
8700 tariff
concession
Cutting the tariffs
levels by 25 % of
1945 level
Geneva II
Swiss
1955-56
26
Tariff reductions
2.5 billion dollars
worth
Geneva
Swiss
1960-61
26
Tariff reductions
Worth 4.9 billion
dollars
Geneva
Swiss
1964
62
Concessions were
made $40 billion
worth
---
Tokyo
1973-79
102
$300 billion
reduction
Non tariff
reductions
Uruguay
1986-94
125
WTO was formed…

6. 









Strength increased from 23 to 125 countries.
50 years has witnessed an exception growth in world trade.
Merchandise export grew on an average of 6% annually.
Total trade in 2002 was 22 times than that of 1950.
Principal achievements of GATT were the establishment of a forum for
continuing consultation . Disputes that could have resulted in hard feeling
are compromised.
Developing countries with balance of payment problems were generally
exempted from liberalization.
The average level of tariff on manufactured products in industrial countries
was brought down from about 40% in 1947 to nearly 3% after Uruguay
round.
The first 6 rounds concentrated on reducing tariffs while the 7th round of
Tokyo moved on to tackle non tariff barriers.
The 8th round helped in establishing the WTO a global organization to
regulate trade between nations.
Today 97 % of the world trade is routed through GATT & WTO

7. 





The world trade organization was established on 1st
January 1995.
It is the embodiment of the Uruguay round results &
the successor to GATT.
WTO has 153 members, India being one of the
founder members.
The head of WTO is located in Geneva of
Switzerland.
“Child becomes a Parent & Parent a child”
As per 2nd March 2013, there are 159 Members of
WTO.

9. 

“WTO is an International body designed to play the
role of a watchdog in spheres of trade in Goods,
services foreign investments, IPR etc.”
WTO is the only international organization dealing
with the global rules of trade between nations. Its
main function is to ensure that trade flows as
smoothly, predictably and freely as possible.

11. 







Administering WTO trade agreements
Forum for trade negotiations
Handling trade disputes
It acts as a watch dog of international trade
Monitoring national trade policies
Technical assistance and training for developing
countries
Cooperation with other international organizations
Providing technical assistance and training for
developing countries.

12. 






GATT
GATS
TRIP’S
TRIM’S
Disputes settlement mechanism
Antidumping measures
Agreement on agriculture

13. 

It is a General Agreement on Trade in
Services.
It covers 4 modes of international delivery
of services:
Cross border flow (Trans border data flows,
transportation services)
 Commercial presence (Provision of services
abroad thru FDI , etc..)
 Consumption abroad
 Movement of personnel (Entry & temporary
stay of foreign consultants)


14. Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property
Rights
 IPR are the rights given to persons over the
creation of their minds.
 These exclusive rights are given for usage for
certain time period.
OBJECTIVES






To encourage & reward creative work .
Technological innovations .
Fair competition.
Consumer protection.
Transfer of technology.

15. It covers rights for :
1.
Copy rights & related rights
2.
Trademarks
3.
Geographical indications
4.
Industrial design
5.
Layout design
6.
Patents
7.
Undisclosed information (trade secrets etc..)

16. 

It is Trade Related Investment Measures
No country shall apply TRIMS which is
inconsistent with WTO articles . the
following are inconsistent :Local content requirement
 Trade balancing requirement
 Trade & foreign exchange
 Domestic sales requirement.


17. 


It has a fixed dead line in settlement of
disputes .
The first ruling does not extend beyond 1
year.
The appeal is generally disposed off before
60 days.

18. 



Meaning- It means selling the product at below the
on going market price or at the price below the cost
of production.
Anti-Dumping laws is applicable if the margin of
dumping is more than 2% of the export price or the
volume of dumped products is more than 3% of the
product.
Anti-Dumping duty shall not exceed the margin of
dumping .
Anti-Dumping action may be suspended or
terminated if the exporter agrees to remove the
dumping or the injurious effect of it.

19. Agreement on Agriculture
 There are 3 principal commitments..
1.
Market Access :- no import restrictions & limitations
2.
Domestic support :- Elimination of govt support to
domestic company’s.
3.
Export subsidies :- phase out support given to exporters ..
Other important aspects are:a)
Tariffication :- means removal of tariff quotas.
b)
Tariff binding :- means fixing the max rate of import
duty, above which a country does not raise the duty
unilaterally.


20. I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
GATT is an agreement.
It was designed with an
attempt to establish
International Trade
Organizations
It was applied on a
provisional bases
GATT covered only
goods.
Disputes settlement
mechanism slow & at
times in conclusive.
I.
II.
III.
IV.
V.
WTO is an organization.
It is establishes to serve
its own purpose.
Its activity are full and
permanent.
It covers goods, services,
IPR.
Dispute settlement
system is fast

21. 



IMF – International Monetary Fund
IBRD – International Bank of
Reconstruction and Development
ITO – International Trade Organization
IPR – Intellectual Property Rights

22. 


www.wto.org
www.wikipedia.org
International Business- 2e- P Subba Rao.