Arab countries are attempting to broaden their engagement in the multilateral trading system in a manner that has many implications. Not only have some Arab countries either acceded or are in the pipeline of acceding to the World Trade Organization (WTO), but their new commitments coincides with reorientations in their economic strategies. The purpose of this dissertation is to examine the implications on Arab countries.
Given Jordan’s accession to the WTO and its free trade agreement with the United States (U.S.), the country serves as an ideal candidate for other Arab countries. Jordan applied for WTO membership in 1994. After a lengthy and costly process of negotiations, Jordan became a WTO member in 2000. Furthermore, in 2000, the U.S. and Jordan concluded a bilateral trade agreement.
My thesis is that acceding to the WTO and signing a bilateral trade agreement with the U.S. is like choosing between Scylla and Charybdis, because onerous trade liberalization commitments ensue from such actions. The WTO system as an institution may not be perfect. There are deficiencies in the system. However, membership in the WTO could afford better chances compared with bilateral trade agreements like the one between the U.S. and Jordan. Membership in the WTO could help Jordan, in cooperation with other Arab countries, preserve its rights. In current bilateral trade agreements, economic hegemonies such as the U.S. dictate the rules and weave them to their advantage. In sum, I make the case that the alternative to the WTO system is bilateral trade agreements with the U.S., and they are trade agreements in which Arab countries are bound to be disadvantaged.
The dissertation analyzes Islamic law and economics and their relevance to international trade. It studies some of the obstacles Arab countries face in acceding to the WTO. The dissertation also examines the commitments Jordan undertook in its accession to the WTO as a case study for other Arab countries. Finally, the dissertation scrutinizes the United States-Jordan Free Trade Agreement.
Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)
- Abstract
- Acknowledgements
- Chapter 1: Introduction
- The WTO System and Arab Countries
- Islamic Law and Economics
- Jordan and the WTO
- The U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement
- The Problem
- Chapter 2: The WTO System and Arab Countries
- The WTO’s Objectives and Functions
- Obstacles to Arab Accession to the WTO
- Implications for Arab Countries
- Chapter 3: The WTO and Islamic Law and Economics
- The Islamic Legal Framework
- The Economic and Social Implications of Islamic Law
- Islamic Law and International Trade
- Chapter 4: Jordan’s Accession to the WTO
- Jordan’s Accession Process
- Jordan’s Commitments in the WTO
- Jordan’s Trade Policy After Accession to the WTO
- Chapter 5: The U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement
- Trade Relations Between the U.S. and Jordan
- The U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement
- The Implications of the Agreement
- Chapter 6: Conclusion
Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)
This dissertation aims to analyze the implications of Arab countries' participation in the World Trade Organization (WTO) system, using Jordan as a case study. It explores the challenges and opportunities associated with WTO accession, with a particular focus on the impact of trade liberalization commitments and the potential advantages and disadvantages of bilateral trade agreements. The dissertation also examines the intersection of Islamic law and economics in the context of international trade.
- The impact of WTO accession on Arab countries
- The role of Islamic law and economics in international trade
- The advantages and disadvantages of bilateral trade agreements
- The challenges and opportunities associated with trade liberalization
- A case study of Jordan's accession to the WTO
Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)
Chapter 1 introduces the research topic, outlining the motivations for studying Arab countries' engagement in the WTO system and the significance of Jordan's case. It highlights the central problem of the dissertation – the trade-offs between WTO membership and bilateral trade agreements, particularly with the United States.
Chapter 2 delves into the WTO system and its implications for Arab countries. It explores the objectives and functions of the WTO, analyzes the obstacles Arab countries face in joining the organization, and discusses the potential benefits and drawbacks of WTO membership for the region.
Chapter 3 investigates the intersection of Islamic law and economics in the context of international trade. It examines the Islamic legal framework and its economic and social implications, highlighting the potential for compatibility between Islamic principles and the WTO system.
Chapter 4 presents a detailed analysis of Jordan's accession to the WTO, exploring the country's accession process, the commitments it undertook, and the subsequent changes in its trade policy. This chapter serves as a case study to inform the broader analysis of Arab countries' experiences with the WTO.
Chapter 5 focuses on the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, examining the historical context of trade relations between the two countries and analyzing the agreement's content and potential implications. This chapter provides a comparative perspective on the potential outcomes of bilateral trade agreements versus WTO membership.
Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)
The primary keywords and concepts in this dissertation include: Arab countries, WTO, trade liberalization, Islamic law, economics, bilateral trade agreements, United States, Jordan, free trade, accession, commitments, implications, case study, and comparative analysis. The dissertation explores the intersection of these themes to understand the complex dynamics of international trade and its impact on Arab countries.
- Quote paper
- Professor Bashar H. Malkawi (Author), 2017, Jordan and the World Trading System, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/451224
