Trade Multilateralism in the Twenty-First Century

Trade multilateralism in the twenty-first-century century faces a serious test as weakness in the global economy and fast-paced technological changes create a challenging environment for world trade. This book examines how an updated and robust rules-based multilateral framework anchored in the WTO remains indispensable to maximizing the benefits of global economic integration and to reviving world trade. By examining recent accessions to the WTO it reveals how the growing membership of the WTO has helped to support domestic reforms and to strengthen the rules-based framework of the WTO. It argues that the new realities of the twenty-first century require an upgrade to the architecture of the multilateral trading system. By erecting its ''upper floors'' on the foundation of existing trade rules the WTO can continue to adapt to a fast-changing environment and to maximize the benefits brought about by its ever-expanding membership. > Includes contributions from top-policy-makers and chief negotiators providing first-hand accounts and expertise in trade policy-making > Analyses WTO accessions in the context of global economic and social development > Describes how WTO accessions can function as a tool to accelerate domestic reforms