What is the WTO Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures? The World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS Agreement) is an international treaty that aims to protect human, animal, and plant life or health from risks arising from additives, contaminants, toxins, or disease-causing organisms in food, beverages, or feedstuffs. Additionally, it…
WTO and Regional Trade Agreements Regional trade agreements (RTAs) have proliferated in recent decades, with over 300 RTAs in force today. These agreements cover a wide range of issues, including tariffs, trade in services, and intellectual property. RTAs can have a significant impact on the global trading system, and they can also be a source…
Introduction If you’ve ever shopped at a big-box store, you’ve likely seen the deep discounts on items made overseas. But how do these businesses get away with pricing their products so low? In some cases, they’ve engaged in unfair competition as outlined by the World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Anti-Dumping Agreement. The agreement aims to ensure…
Introduction The World Trade Organization’s (WTO) Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) is an international treaty. It aims to open up government procurement markets to foreign competition. So, what’s the catch? By joining the GPA, countries agree to treat foreign suppliers fairly and transparently. This means that foreign companies can bid on government contracts on equal footing…
In general, you cannot claim personal injury on your own insurance. Personal injury protection (PIP) is a type of car insurance that covers the medical expenses and lost wages of the insured driver and their passengers if they are injured in a car accident. PIP is typically required in no-fault states, where drivers are not…
WTO Fisheries Subsidies Agreement In a landmark move, members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) have come together to sign an agreement that aims to end harmful fisheries subsidies, addressing a longstanding issue that has contributed to overfishing and overcapacity in the global fishing industry. This agreement is widely hailed as a crucial step towards…
WTO Environmental Goods Agreement On June 12, 2022, a significant environmental milestone was reached when 53 member countries of the World Trade Organization (WTO) inked an environmental goods agreement. This agreement marks a concerted effort to combat climate change and foster sustainable development by eliminating tariffs on a wide range of environmentally friendly products, paving…
**WTO Fisheries Agreement** The World Trade Organization (WTO) Member nations agreed in 2022 to create a three-part agreement on fisheries subsidies aimed at eliminating harmful subsidies that contribute to overfishing. This 21-year negotiation finally worked out because of a shift in the economic and political realities around the world regarding fisheries subsidies. Negotiations focused on…
World Trade Organization (WTO) and Free Trade Agreements Free trade agreements are crucial global pacts negotiated by multiple countries to boost trade and economic benefits. The World Trade Organization (WTO) stands at the helm of these agreements, playing a pivotal role in facilitating global commerce. Its primary mandate is to ensure that trade flows smoothly,…
WTO Bali Agreement: A Milestone in Global Trade After years of painstaking negotiations, the World Trade Organization (WTO) finally reached a landmark agreement in Bali, Indonesia, in 2013. This historic accord marked a major turning point in global trade, heralding a new era of cooperation and economic growth. The Bali Agreement, as it came to…
