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How does the regular work of WTO influence regional trade agreements?

Author

Listed:
  • McDaniels, Devin
  • Molina, Ana Cristina
  • Wijkström, Erik

Abstract

This paper illustrates how the work of the WTO's standing committees is fuelling regulatory cooperation between WTO members, and inspiring RTA negotiators. We explore, as a case study, how the WTO TBT Committee has shaped provisions on international standards in RTAs, and focus on the extent to which RTAs have assimilated the WTO TBT principles for development of international standards (the Six Principles), arguably the most important decision taken by the TBT Committee over last 20-plus years. Our analysis covers 260 RTAs, and shows that while most RTAs are silent on the matter, one quarter have provisions where the Parties commit to implement WTO TBT principles, and, among these, a few go further still - for example by naming specific international standardizing bodies which are relevant in certain sectors. In addition, the RTAs sharpen and harden the Six Principles by making them directly applicable to the parties.

Suggested Citation

  • McDaniels, Devin & Molina, Ana Cristina & Wijkström, Erik, 2018. "How does the regular work of WTO influence regional trade agreements?," WTO Staff Working Papers ERSD-2018-06, World Trade Organization (WTO), Economic Research and Statistics Division.
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:wtowps:ersd201806
    DOI: 10.30875/10cbd249-en
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Anonymous, 1960. "European Free Trade Association," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(1), pages 219-220, January.
    2. Anonymous, 1960. "European Free Trade Association," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(3), pages 483-484, July.
    3. Anonymous, 1960. "European Free Trade Association," International Organization, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(4), pages 681-682, October.
    4. Gheorghe MEREUŢĂ, 2014. "Perspectives of the National Army of the Republic of Moldova under The New Regional Security Architecture," Postmodern Openings, Editura Lumen, Department of Economics, vol. 5(4), pages 31-42, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    regional Trade Agreements; international standards; international cooperation; coherence; non-tariff barriers; technical barriers to trade; regulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F15 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Economic Integration
    • F53 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Agreements and Observance; International Organizations
    • F55 - International Economics - - International Relations, National Security, and International Political Economy - - - International Institutional Arrangements
    • K33 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - International Law
    • L15 - Industrial Organization - - Market Structure, Firm Strategy, and Market Performance - - - Information and Product Quality

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