Trade Policy Review Research Articles

Agricultural Reciprocity under Economic Partnership Agreements

This paper investigates how the formation of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) with the EU might affect the ability of the six Development Cooperation Ireland programme countries in Sub-Saharan Africa to continue to provide protection to their domestic agri-food sectors. Various scenarios are constructed on the assumption that 'substantially all' trade with the EU must be liberalised if the EPAs are to be compatible with WTO rules on regional trade agreements. The paper concludes that EPAs are unlikely to require major changes in existing levels of border protection provided to domestic agriculture in Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mozambique and Zambia but that the effects on Tanzania and Uganda could be greater. It argues that the preparation of a 'defensive' EPA strategy by these countries should occur in parallel with a strategic review of agricultural trade policy.

WTO, Trade Policy Review, Iceland 7 and 9 June 2006

WTO, Trade Policy Review, Iceland 7 and 9 June 2006

WTO, Trade Policy Review, United Arab Emirates (UAE) 24 and 26 April 2006

WTO, Trade Policy Review, United Arab Emirates (UAE) 24 and 26 April 2006

WTO, Trade Policy Review, Uruguay 17 and 19 May 2006

WTO, Trade Policy Review, Uruguay 17 and 19 May 2006

WTO, Trade Policy Review, Chinese Taipei 20 and 22 June 2006

WTO, Trade Policy Review, Chinese Taipei 20 and 22 June 2006

Trade Policy Review: Djibouti

Trade Policy Review: Djibouti

Trade Policy Review: Angola

Trade Policy Review: Angola

Trade Policy Review: United States

Trade Policy Review: United States

Trade Policy Review: Israel

Trade Policy Review: Israel

Trade Policy Review: Malaysia

Trade Policy Review: Malaysia

Trade Policy Review: Republic of Guinea

Trade Policy Review: Republic of Guinea

Trade Policy Review: Romania

Trade Policy Review: Romania

Trade Policy Review: Bolivia

Trade Policy Review: Bolivia

Trade Policy Review: Tunisia

Trade Policy Review: Tunisia

Turkey: Trade Policy Review

HE Trade Policy Review: Turkey 2003, the third of its kind, provides a comprehensive survey of trade policy developments and practices in Turkey. This paper discusses besides the principal issues highlighted in the report, an issue that has largely been neglected in Trade Policy Reviews. It is the sustainability of current account. Section 2 describes the main developments in Turkey’s trade regime and trade performance, and Section 3 examines the trade policy under the headings of measures affecting imports, exports and foreign direct investment. Section 4 is on liberalisation of services, and Section 5 on sustainability of current account. The final section offers conclusions.

2004 Trade Policy Review - The United States

Many of the findings of the seventh Trade Policy Review of the United States are similar to those reached in earlier reviews: the US is unanimously acknowledged as having an open and transparent system; the US economy has remained amongst the world's most competitive, and has continued to support global growth by keeping its import market largely open. This review finds, however, that the US has developed a disturbing pattern of non-compliance with WTO rules. During the period of review the United States enacted policies, most notably the infamous Byrd Amendment and the 2001–02 steel safeguard action, that were found to be clear violations of its WTO obligations. Despite these and other such findings, the United States has obstinately refused to bring its domestic statutes in line with WTO rules. In addition, in recent years the United States’ aggressive pursuit of regional and bilateral initiatives has led many Members to question whether the United States is committed to the multilateral approach espoused by the WTO. Overall, despite the US's many virtues, Member countries expressed concern that the US's stated leadership of and commitment to the WTO is not matched by its actions.

Trade Policy Issues in a Small African Economy: The Trade Policy Review of The Gambia 2004

The Gambia displays many of the classic characteristics of a small open economy, with the vulnerabilities that implies. The sum of its imports and exports are around 100 per cent of GDP, with a limited number of export commodities and a wide variety of imports, including some key staple foods. The Trade Policy Review of The Gambia 2004 provides a very helpful review and assessment of current trade patterns and policies. The latter rely predominantly on import and export taxes. While quite substantial trade reform measures have been implemented recently, these have led to only a very small reduction in the average tariff rate, and trade policy displays a substantial anti-export bias. Other important issues highlighted by the Trade Policy Review include serious capacity constraints relating to trade policy, and a failure to discuss connections between trade policy and growth and poverty reduction--again common characteristics of many small economies.

Bilateral 'WTO-Plus' Free Trade Agreements: The WTO Trade Policy Review of Singapore 2004

The World Trade Organisation's 2004 Trade Policy Review of Singapore (WTO-TPR Singapore 2004) depicts the small and outward-oriented economy as one of the most open countries to international trade and investment. The review highlights the benefits of the outward-oriented strategy that has enabled the Singapore economy to weather recent external shocks such as the Asian financial crisis to the SARS and to the recent unfavourable conditions in the Middle East. In particular, the report commended Singapore's efforts on its liberalisation of the services sector and its economic benefits to consumers and global trade. However, the WTO-TPR Singapore 2004 highlights several key areas of concerns: (a) the commitment to multilateral agreements with the rising number of bilateral free trade agreements signed by Singapore and (b) the lack of growth of total factor productivity, a key indicator for long-run efficiency of the economy. The paper addresses the above key concerns raised in the WTO's TPR of Singapore in terms of its commitment to global trade in terms of WTO-plus bilateral FTAs, which intends to support a multilateral trading system, and its overall industrial strategies to raise its competitiveness.

Trade Policy Review Jamaica

Trade Policy Review Jamaica

Trade Policy Review Japan

Trade Policy Review Japan