During the fourth Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organization in Doha, Qatar, from November 9th to 14th 2001, the new round of multilateral trade talks became known as the Doha Round.
Against the background of the terrorist attacks in the USA that had happened two months before in September, a strong message of stability and prosperity to the economical development and the wish for a greater political cohesion were communicated and were seen to become resolved in multilateral trade negotiations.
The principle aim of this ministerial-level meeting was to lower trade barriers globally, which allows countries to increase trade worldwide by a more efficient exchange of goods among countries and to establish a more stable and certain foundation for today’s dynamic global marketplace in order to avoid a repetition of terrorist attacks.
However, the Doha Round failed and even following ministerial conferences and meetings that took place in Cancún, Mexico (2003), Hong Kong (2005), and Geneva, Switzerland (2004, 2006, 2008) did not lead to a satisfying result.
In the following chapters, the internal, thus the relationship between developing and industrialized countries with focus on the EU and the leading developing countries Brazil, India and China - which are developing to the leading economic powers in the world at the moment - and external, thus especially the upcoming trend towards bilateralism and regionalism, reasons for the collapse of the multilateral trade round will be discussed.
The question is whether the Doha Round, thus multilateral trade talks, still has a chance – coupled with the WTO – in a growing regionalized world and what can be done to find a consensus in the world trade system.
The focus of the paper lies on the conditions, the framework and the results of the rounds and the development in perspective, but does not cover the content of the agreements.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The WTO rounds and agreements
2.1. The Ministerial Conference of Doha 2001
2.2. The Ministerial Conference in Cancún 2003
2.3. The WTO agreement in Geneva 2004
2.4. The Ministerial Conference in Hong Kong 2005
2.5. The Ministerial Conference in Geneva 2008
2.6. The future of the WTO
3. Multilateralism vs. Regionalism
3.1. The position of the EU
3.2. The position of the developing countries
3.3. The position of the WTO
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the internal and external factors contributing to the failure of the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations, with a specific focus on the shifting dynamics between industrialized nations and emerging economies, as well as the rising trend of regionalism versus global multilateralism.
- Analysis of the Doha Development Round and subsequent ministerial conferences.
- Evaluation of the changing roles of industrial and developing countries within the WTO.
- Assessment of the impact of bilateral and regional trade agreements on the multilateral system.
- Investigation into the challenges of achieving consensus within a diverse global trade framework.
Excerpt from the Book
3.3. The position of the WTO
The question is whether those more limited trade agreements “help” or “hurt” the multilateral system – or to say it in other words – whether they are “building” or “stumbling” blocs towards the WTO. On the one hand, the supporters say that RTA are easier to handle and to negotiate, lead to a higher degree of liberalization and therefore enable the opening of markets and a faster access to markets more effectively.
On the other hand, the opponents claim that RTA violate the most-favoured nation treatment and the non-discrimination principle of the WTO and do not respect the interests of developing countries which remain outsiders. In regard to this change a reinforcement of the WTO as the multilateral policy is indispensable in order to adjust the growing disparities between the trading partners, to guarantee stability and transparency and to organize globalisation.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Provides the context of the Doha Round initiated in 2001 and outlines the research objective regarding the failure of multilateral trade negotiations.
2. The WTO rounds and agreements: Details the chronological progression of ministerial conferences from Doha to Geneva 2008, highlighting the recurring conflicts and negotiation impasses.
3. Multilateralism vs. Regionalism: Analyzes how the rise of bilateral and regional trade agreements challenges the traditional multilateral structure of the WTO, including the distinct perspectives of the EU, developing countries, and the WTO itself.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes that the Doha Round's failure is linked to systemic issues and the shift towards regionalism, suggesting a need for institutional re-thinking to preserve the multilateral trade order.
Keywords
Doha Round, World Trade Organization, WTO, Multilateralism, Regionalism, Trade Liberalization, Ministerial Conference, Developing Countries, Industrialized Countries, G-20, Trade Barriers, Agricultural Subsidies, Bilateralism, Emerging Economies, Global Trade Policy
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research paper?
The paper focuses on the reasons behind the failure of the Doha Round of trade talks, examining both internal disagreements among member states and external challenges posed by the rise of regionalism.
What are the central thematic areas addressed?
The central themes include the evolution of WTO ministerial conferences, the strategic positions of the EU and developing nations, and the conflict between multilateral trade goals and bilateral/regional agreements.
What is the core research question?
The research questions whether the Doha Round still holds potential in a globalized, yet increasingly regionalized world, and what steps are necessary to reach a consensus within the world trade system.
Which scientific methodology is utilized?
The paper employs a qualitative analytical approach, utilizing existing scholarly literature, official WTO reports, and economic analyses to evaluate the progress and eventual breakdown of the Doha Round negotiations.
What is discussed in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers the chronological development of the WTO rounds, the shift from a bipolar to a multipolar power structure, and the complex trade-offs between agricultural reform and the 'Singapore Issues'.
What key terms characterize the study?
The study is characterized by terms such as multilateralism, regionalism, Doha Round, G-20, and most-favoured nation treatment.
How does the author view the role of the G-20?
The author identifies the G-20 as a significant 'voice of the developing countries' that gained political weight by challenging the traditional dominance of industrialized nations, particularly regarding agricultural subsidies.
Why does the author consider regionalism a threat to the WTO?
Regionalism is seen as a potential obstacle because it creates preferential agreements that may violate the principle of non-discrimination and distract from the broader goal of a unified, multilateral global trade system.
- Quote paper
- Rinke Kloppe (Author), 2009, The internal and external reasons for the failure of the Doha-Round and the role of the industrial and developing countries, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/139117
