To search for documents relating to regional trade agreements in the WTO`s online database, follow this link to access the WTO document database and insert the codes in the search engine icon. WTO members also stated that ATRs can complement the multilateral trading system, not replace it. Director-General Roberto Azevédo said that many key issues – such as trade facilitation, liberalisation of services and subsidies for agriculture and fisheries – can only be addressed comprehensively and effectively if everyone has a place at the negotiating table. In addition, a multilateral system ensures the participation of the smallest and weakest countries and contributes to the integration of developing countries into the global economy. Regional trade agreements (ATRs) are an important part of international trade relations. Over the years, ATRs have increased not only in number, but also in depth and complexity. WTO members and the secretariat are working to gather information and encourage discussions on ATRs in order to increase transparency and improve understanding of its impact on the broader multilateral trading system. The Committee on Regional Trade Agreements (CRTA) reviews some regional agreements and is also responsible for conducting discussions on the systemic impact of agreements on the multilateral trading system. The presidency is. Online Research Documents General documents relating to regional trade agreements carry the WT/REG document code. As part of the Doha Agenda trade negotiations mandate, they use TN/RL/O (additional values needed). These links open a new window: Allow a moment for the results to appear. In addition, the increase in RTA has come to an end to the overlapping phenomenon of membership.
This can hinder trade flows when traders struggle to meet multiple sets of trade rules. As the scope of the ATR extends to areas of action that are not regulated multilaterally, the risk of inconsistencies between the various agreements may be increased. Most of the previous ATRs involved tariff liberalization and related rules, such as trade defence, standards and rules of origin. Increasingly, ATRs have adopted the liberalization of services as well as obligations on service rules, investment, competition, intellectual property rights, e-commerce, environment and work. This could result in regulatory confusion and implementation problems. In particular, agreements should help to make trade between ATR countries freer without barriers to trade with the outside world. In other words, regional integration should complement, not threaten, the multilateral trading system. Other non-general preferential regimes, such as. B non-reciprocal preferential agreements, involving developing and industrialized countries, require members to request a waiver from WTO rules. These exceptions must be approved by three-quarters of WTO members.
Examples of such agreements currently in force include the US Caribbean Basin Economic Recovery Act (CBERA), the CARIBCAN agreement, in which Canada provides non-reciprocal duty-free access to most Caribbean countries, Turkey`s preferential treatment for Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the EC-ACP partnership agreement.