How Do the Changing International Trade Relations Impact on Public Administration?

Abstract

Seldom has world trade policy been the focus of such controversial public debate as it is today—and it is now accompanied by changes to practical trade policy that are more far reaching than any we’ve seen before. First, there was the formation of the contentious free trade agreements, such as the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), and the ensuing worldwide protests over the exclusion of the public from the associated negotiations. Then came the surprise announcement from the new US presidency of the intention to step away from the TPP and TTIP—even though the USA had previously campaigned particularly strongly for those agreements. This development is accompanied by a far-reaching stagnation of current multilateral negotiations, as they exist within the framework of the world trade system. These issues all occupy places in the current political discussion around trade liberalisation. However, this contribution goes further, to focus on an equally important issue that is much less acknowledged in the public sphere, and that relates to the interdependence of the regulatory framework for economic integration with civil society, business and the administration. Free trade agreements—such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Trade Facilitation—can be looked on as models of international governance, exerting a considerable influence on the players in the member states. The author argues that business and the administration are then called to the task of devising and implementing appropriate strategies and following up with any necessary adaptations. He demonstrates that, for the stakeholders involved, economic integration simultaneously represents challenge, an intention to change and the opportunity for renewal.