Introduction to the WTO

The WTO is the foundation of multilateral trading system with 162 members, setting the rules of international trade policy coordination. China joined the WTO in 2001 after lengthy and arduous negotiations. Ever since then, China has been becoming one of the most significant players in the organization. In particular, China’s remarkable economic and trade performance after WTO accession is considered a miracle largely attributable to its WTO membership.

The course is intended to address the following questions:

• What is the WTO?
• Why is the WTO so important for the world and China?
• What functions does the WTO have and how does it perform these functions?
• What trade policies do the WTO cover and regulate?
• Why did China endeavor to join the WTO?
• How has China been performing in the WTO?
• What impact has the WTO membership had on China?
• What role will China play in the future of the WTO?

The students will understand how the WTO is operated and what the WTO has done for the world trade and especially how the WTO membership has contributed to China’s economic growth in the last fifteen years.

Link
https://wto-my.sharepoint.com/:w:/g/personal/wtochairs_wto_org/EVj0r3UR…