WTO

The main purpose of the WTO is to create a [blank_start]forum[blank_end] for government to negotiate trade deals. This is to ensure that trade can flow as [blank_start]smoothly[blank_end] and [blank_start]predictably[blank_end] as possible by removing [blank_start]trade[blank_end] [blank_start]barriers[blank_end] and to make it more [blank_start]inclusive[blank_end]. They also try to [blank_start]subsidise[blank_end] farming.

It was fromed from the [blank_start]GATT[blank_end] in 1948 but turned into the the WTO in [blank_start]1995[blank_end]. This was to increase [blank_start]transparency[blank_end] of decision making.

It has been able to protect [blank_start]global[blank_end] [blank_start]trade[blank_end], it has settled [blank_start]157[blank_end] disputes and managed to allow [blank_start]Bali[blank_end] to achieve a [blank_start]multi[blank_end]-[blank_start]lateral[blank_end] trade agreement to speed up the movement of goods and reduce [blank_start]red[blank_end] [blank_start]tape[blank_end].

However, they have failed to confront [blank_start]ethical[blank_end] issues and the process is mainly controlled by [blank_start]western[blank_end] countries such as [blank_start]USA[blank_end]. Large organisations has also find loopholes in the laws by claiming that [blank_start]envrionmental[blank_end] [blank_start]laws[blank_end] is a trade barrier.

There are in total [blank_start]164[blank_end] members which makes up about [blank_start]95[blank_end]% of global trade. In 2001 they created the [blank_start]Doha[blank_end] Development Agenda for poorer countries to reduce trade barriers but the project failed due to [blank_start]disagreements[blank_end] between USA and China.