The Consistency of WTO Rules: Can the Single Undertaking Be Squared with Variable Geometry?

VanGrasstek, Craig; Sauvé, Pierre

doi:10.1093/jiel/jgl031

Cited by 23 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…For views on power politics at the WTO, see Goldstein (2002Goldstein ( , 2009, Steinberg (2002), Jawara and Kwa (2003), Jones (2009), Kim (2010), and Narlikar and Wilkinson (2004). See, for instance, Cottier (2003Cottier ( , 2006Cottier ( , 2009, Ehlermann and Ehring (2005), Elsig (2007aElsig ( , 2009, Cottier (2011), MacMillan (2010) and Van Grasstek and Sauvé (2006). See Cottier (2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small States and the Multilateral Trading System

2015

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Trade has generally been acknowledged as an important enabler of growth and development, and the integration of national economies into the multilateral trading system (MTS) can have an important role in fostering trade-led economic growth and development.Small states, however, face acute challenges in their participation in the MTS because of a lack of economy of scale, limited natural resources, vulnerability and long distances to key export markets. This disadvantaged position of small states has long been recognised by the Commonwealth Secretariat, which initiated a discourse on the challenges that they face, the concerns that they have and how to address them. The Commonwealth Secretariat has also been helping small states to raise these issues with the World Trade Organization (WTO), and this publication is another example of the proactive and valuable work conducted by the Commonwealth Secretariat. This compilation comprises an excellent selection of articles, which will further help small states to enhance and enrich their participation in the MTS.The publication presents a comprehensive understanding of the establishment of a Work Programme on Small Economies as part of the WTO's Doha Development Agenda (DDA), which was supported by the Commonwealth Secretariat. The work programme has the objective of framing 'responses to the trade-related issues identified for the fuller integration of small, vulnerable economies into the multilateral trading system without creating a sub-category of WTO Member' . The work programme has become the vehicle under which small states or small, vulnerable economies (SVEs), as they are categorised by the WTO, have successfully introduced their concerns in the negotiations. Through their perseverance, SVEs have been able to overcome initial difficulties related to their inherent characteristics. As a result, today, their issues are reflected, in one form or another, in almost all areas of the negotiations. This book offers valuable insights into the systemic issues that would need to be taken into account by the SVEs in order to increase their participation in the WTO. Of particular worth are the detailed options and proposals that have been put forward for the consideration of the SVEs to improve their participation under each of the main aspects of work of the WTO. This includes very sound suggestions under the main pillars of the work of the organisation, that is, negotiation, dispute settlement, agreement administration, research and technical assistance. vi

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Small States and the Multilateral Trading System

2015

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“…Several authors (Lawrence, 2006;VanGrasstek and Sauvé, 2006;Cottier, 2009;Elsig, 2009; have considered the possibility of developing a multilateral approach to a modified consensus rule, often referred to as critical mass decision-making. The approach proposed by is very similar to the so-called "code" approach that emerged in the Tokyo Round agreements on nontariff measures, but which was subsequently eliminated by the "Single Undertaking" (whereby nothing is agreed until everything is agreed) that accompanied the creation of the WTO in 1995.…”

Section: (Ii) Dispute Settlementmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Openness of National Economies: The World and Russia

Оболенский¹

2017

WEIR

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“…Several responses to these challenges have been proposed (see, for instance, Cottier 2006 andCottier and Takenoshita 2008;Ehlermann and Ehring 2005;Elsig 2007bElsig , 2009Elsig and Cottier 2011;MacMillan 2010;and Van Grasstek and Sauvé 2006). One option is for countries to vote to resolve particular negotiation issues, using the WTO's current one-member, one-vote rules for voting (which have only been invoked in a very limited number of cases).…”

Section: Consensusmentioning

confidence: 99%

Systemic Issues for Commonwealth Small States in the Current Functioning of the WTO

Birkbeck

2015

International Trade Working Paper

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Small states face significant hurdles in securing the potential benefits of trade to their economies and in protecting themselves against trade practices and rules that harm their interests. This study explores the systemic issues and challenges confronted by Commonwealth small states in the multilateral trading system, and identifies two sets of priorities for these countries. First, the substantive content of trade agreements must account for the particular needs, constraints and vulnerabilities of small states. Second, WTO members need to address the systemic issues facing the WTO in ways that ensure small states can use and benefit from all of the functions the multilateral trading system offers. To help enable Commonwealth small states to participate meaningfully in debates on WTO reform, the paper highlights areas of particular importance and sets forth options and proposals they could consider advancing.

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The Consistency of WTO Rules: Can the Single Undertaking Be Squared with Variable Geometry?

Cited by 23 publications

References 0 publications

Small States and the Multilateral Trading System

Small States and the Multilateral Trading System

The Openness of National Economies: The World and Russia

Systemic Issues for Commonwealth Small States in the Current Functioning of the WTO

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