World War I To World War II 1918 - 1939: Great Depression
World War I To World War II 1918 - 1939: Great Depression
World War I To World War II 1918 - 1939: Great Depression
Great Depression
US stock market collapse Smoot-Hawley Act (1930)
US had positive trade balance with world Act imposes tariffs to protect U.S. firms. Foreign response was to impose own barriers US exports tumbled
GATT
The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade remained in existence for a period of 46 years it came into force on 1 Jan 1948, as a result of Bretton Woods Conference 1944. GATT started as a agreement for trade concessions among 23 nations, including India. Its membership increased to 117 countries as on 31st Dec 1994 - the day it ceased to exist. GATT was a multilateral treaty which provided a forum to discuss trade problems faced by member countries known as contacting parties.
Ever since the beginning of 1980, the economy has been passing through a new phase of transition. The essential feature of this transition has been the opening up of their economies by developed and developing countries. Over the past 50 years ever since formation of GATT in 1948, trade has been powerful engine for growth. The policy of trade liberalization was underlined by multi-lateral trading system governed by GATT till 31st Dec 1994 and now by WTO since 1st Jan 1995.
S.N o 1.
Roun d . First
Place
Year
Features
2.
Secon d Third
Geneva (Switzerland ) Annecy (France) Torquay (Britain) Geneva (Switzerland ) Geneva (Switzerland ) Geneva (Switzerland ) Tokyo (Japan) Uruguay
1947
Tariff cuts for 45000 products worth $10 billion of trade on an annual basis . Custom duty were reduced for another 5000 items of goods. Adopted 8700 tariff reduction.
1949
3.
4.
Fourt h Fifth
To further cut duties for goods worth $2.5 billion. It was known as Dillon Round. Custom duties charged for 4000 items worth $5 billion. It was known as Kennedy Round. Cut tariffs for industrial goods upto 50%. Ended at Geneva. Participants cut custom duties by 20-30% for goods traded. This was known as Uruguay Round. Lead to the formation of WTO.
5.
6.
Sixth
7.
Seven th Eight
8.
9.0 8.5 8.0 7.5 7.0 6.5 6.0 5.5 5.0 4.5 4.0
1953-63
1963-73
FORMAL STRUCTURE
Highest Level: Ministerial Conference Second level: General Council Third level: Councils for Trade Fourth level: Subsidiary Bodies
Functions of W.T.O.
Institutional Characteristic Ministerial Conference Taking Decisions Settling Dispute
Principles of Trading
Non-discrimination MFN National Treatment Free Trade Predictable and transparent
Textiles
Fighting a good fight End of Multi Fibre Arrangements ( M.F.A.) Back in main stream
Agriculture
Improving Market access Reducing domestic support in the form of trade-distorting subsidies
Trade Remedies
Anti-dumping actions Subsidies and countervailing measures Safegaurding precedure
TRIPs
Patent Copyright & Trademark Industrial Design Geographical indication Trade Secrets
TRIMs
WTO provisions explicitly prohibits the following Trade restrictive and Trade distortive measure:
Local content Requirements Trade-balancing requirement Foreign exchange balancing requirements Exchange restrictions Export performance requirements
Other Committees
Trade and Environment Trade and Development (Subcommittee on Least-Developed Countries) Regional Trade Agreements Balance of Payments Restrictions Budget, Finance and Administration Working parties on Accession
ISSUES
The main issues discussed included reduction of domestic support and elimination of export subsidies by developed countries, development package for Least Developed Countries (LCDs).
CONTD.
In this meeting, countries agreed to phase out all their agricultural export subsidies by the end of 2013, and terminate any cotton export subsidies by the end of 2006. concessions to developing countries included an agreement to introduce duty free, tariff free access for goods from the Least Developed Countries
OUTCOME
Resolved to complete the Doha Work Programme fully and conclude negotiations in 2006 Amendment to WTO TRIPS Agreement reaffirmed to address public health concerns of developing countries Establish modalities in agriculture and nonagriculture market access (NAMA).