World Trade Organization Negotiations: The Doha Development Agenda
Abstract
The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established in 1995 and is the principal international organization governing world trade. It has 146 member countries, representing over 95% of world trade. On November 9-14, 2001, trade ministers from WTO countries met in Doha, Qatar, for their 4th Ministerial Conference. At that meeting, they agreed to a work program for a new round of multilateral trade negotiations to conclude by January 1, 2005. The work program folds on-going negotiations on agriculture and services into a broader agenda that includes industrial tariffs, topics of interest to developing countries, changes in WTO rules, and other provisions. Because of the influence that developing countries had in setting the work program, the round has become known as the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). Agriculture has been the linchpin in the DDA. U.S. goals were substantial reduction of trade-distorting domestic support, elimination of export subsidies, and improved market access. Industrial trade barriers and services are other market access topics in the negotiations. There are three issues that are among the most important to developing countries, in addition to concessions on agriculture and textile/clothing trade: (1) compulsory licensing of medicines and patent protection, (2) a review of provisions giving special and differential treatment to developing countries, and (3) problems that developing countries are having in implementing current trade obligations. In other areas, negotiators are meeting to clarify and improve disciplines under the antidumping and subsidies agreements. The 5th Ministerial Conference was held September 10-14, 2003 in Cancun, Mexico, but the meeting ended unsuccessfully. In February 2004, WTO members approved new chairpersons for the WTO bodies and working groups, and resumed negotiations in March 2004. On July 31, 2004, WTO members approved a framework to guide remaining negotiations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 06, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA486346
Entities
People
- Lenore Sek
Organizations
- Library of Congress