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Embracing Diversity: Plurilateral Agreements and the Trading System

Author

Listed:
  • HOEKMAN, BERNARD M.
  • MAVROIDIS, PETROS C.

Abstract

Plurilateral agreements in the WTO context allow sub-sets of countries to agree to commitments in specific policy areas that only apply to signatories, and thus allow for ‘variable geometry’ in the WTO. Current WTO rules make it much more difficult to pursue the plurilateral route than to negotiate a preferential trade agreement outside the WTO. We argue that this is inefficient from a global welfare and trading system perspective and that WTO Members should facilitate the negotiation of new plurilateral agreements on regulatory matters.

Suggested Citation

  • Hoekman, Bernard M. & Mavroidis, Petros C., 2015. "Embracing Diversity: Plurilateral Agreements and the Trading System," World Trade Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(1), pages 101-116, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:wotrrv:v:14:y:2015:i:01:p:101-116_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Hoekman,Bernard M., 2020. "Facilitating Trade in Services," Policy Research Working Paper Series 9228, The World Bank.
    2. Nelson, Douglas, 2021. "How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria? US – Countervailing Measures (China) (21.5)," World Trade Review, Cambridge University Press, vol. 20(4), pages 556-565, October.
    3. Bernard M. Hoekman & Petros C. Mavroidis, 2016. "MFN Clubs and Scheduling Additional Commitments in the GATT: Learning from the GATS," RSCAS Working Papers 2016/06, European University Institute.
    4. Christopher Findlay & Bernard Hoekman, 2021. "Value chain approaches to reducing policy spillovers on international business," Journal of International Business Policy, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 4(3), pages 390-409, September.
    5. Bernard Hoekman & Charles Sabel, 2019. "Open Plurilateral Agreements, International Regulatory Cooperation and the WTO," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 10(3), pages 297-312, September.
    6. Bernard Hoekman & Charles Sabel, 2021. "Plurilateral Cooperation as an Alternative to Trade Agreements: Innovating One Domain at a Time," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S3), pages 49-60, April.
    7. Staiger, Robert & Bagwell, Kyle & Bown, Chad, 2015. "Is the WTO Passé?," CEPR Discussion Papers 10672, Centre for Economic Policy Research.
    8. Kyle Bagwell & Chad P. Bown & Robert W. Staiger, 2016. "Is the WTO Passé?," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 54(4), pages 1125-1231, December.
    9. Hu, Xuhuan & Yu, Chunjiao & Sun, Yuchen & Zhao, Jiaqi, 2026. "Does the deepening of trade agreements promote bilateral value chain cooperation between China and ASEAN countries?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    10. Métivier, Jeanne & Bacchetta, Marc & Bekkers, Eddy & Koopman, Robert Bernard, 2023. "International trade cooperation's impact on the world economy," WTO Staff Working Papers ERSD-2023-02, World Trade Organization (WTO), Economic Research and Statistics Division.
    11. Petros C. Mavroidis & Robert Wolfe, 2016. "Private Standards and the WTO: Reclusive No More," RSCAS Working Papers 2016/17, European University Institute.
    12. repec:ecr:col032:45020 is not listed on IDEAS
    13. Bernard Hoekman, 2015. "Trade Agreements and International Regulatory Cooperation in a Supply Chain World," RSCAS Working Papers 2015/04, European University Institute.
    14. Bernard Hoekman & Petros C. Mavroidis, 2021. "WTO Reform: Back to the Past to Build for the Future," Global Policy, London School of Economics and Political Science, vol. 12(S3), pages 5-12, April.
    15. John S. Odell, 2014. "How Should the WTO Launch and Negotiate a Future Round?," EUI-RSCAS Working Papers p0410, European University Institute (EUI), Robert Schuman Centre of Advanced Studies (RSCAS).
    16. John S. Odell, 2014. "How Should the WTO Launch and Negotiate a Future Round?," RSCAS Working Papers 2014/110, European University Institute.
    17. Andrea Goldstein & Alessia Amighini & Bernard Hoekman, 2016. "Revitalizing the Global Trading System: What Could the G20 Do?," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 24(4), pages 34-54, July.
    18. Bernard Hoekman, 2020. "Trade Wars and the World Trade Organization: Causes, Consequences, and Change," Asian Economic Policy Review, Japan Center for Economic Research, vol. 15(1), pages 98-114, January.
    19. Bernard Hoekman & Douglas Nelson, 2020. "Rethinking international subsidy rules," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(12), pages 3104-3132, December.
    20. NAGEL Daniel, 2017. "The Fate of 21st Century Multilateralism," European Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Bucharest Economic Academy, issue 02, June.
    21. Siqi Li & Xinquan Tu, 2018. "Impact of Chinese Characteristics on the World Trade Organization: Challenges and Strategies," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 26(2), pages 107-126, March.

    More about this item

    JEL classification:

    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • K32 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Energy, Environmental, Health, and Safety Law

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