Relationship between the WTO and MEA rules
There are over 250 multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) (deal) with various environmental issues which are currently in force. About 20 of these include provisions that can (affect) trade. For instance, they may (contain) measures that prohibit trade in certain species or products, or that allow countries (restrict) trade in certain circumstances.
A question that may (arise) is whether measures under a multilateral agreement are compatible with WTO rules. For example, a multilateral agreement could (authorize) trade in a specific product between its parties, but ban trade in the same product with countries that have not (sign) the agreement.
This could be (find) to be incompatible with WTO’s non-discrimination principle (know) as “most (favour) nation treatment”, which requires countries (grant) equivalent treatment to the same (or “like”) products (import) from any WTO member country. On the other hand, WTO rules do allow members (derogate) from their obligations in some cases, for instance where a measure is (aim) at the conservation of natural resources, provided certain conditions are (meet).
No formal dispute (involve) a measure under a multilateral environmental agreement has so far been (bring) to the WTO. However, the complexity of the relationship between environmental and trade rules was (highlight) in the “Chile — Swordfish” case.
Exercise 7. In this text from a special booklet you are going to learn about the 10 benefits of the WTO trading system; some are well-known, and others are not so obvious.
PART II
This booklet tries to reflect the complex and dynamic nature of trade. It highlights some of the benefits of the WTO’s trading system, but it doesn’t claim that everything is perfect — otherwise there would be no need for further negotiations and for the system to evolve and reform continually. Nor does it claim that everyone agrees with everything in the WTO. That’s one of the most important reasons for having the system: it’s a forum for countries to thrash out their differences on trade issues.
As the official site of the WTO suggests, the first step to understand the WTO is to talk. Essentially, the WTO is a place where member governments go, to try to sort out the trade problems they face with each other. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world’s trading nations.
But the WTO is not just about liberalizing trade, and in some circumstances its rules support maintaining trade barriers — for example to protect consumers, prevent the spread of disease or protect the environment.
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The WTO says there are many over-riding reasons why we’re better off with the system than without it. Here are 10 of them:
1. The system helps promote peace;
2. Disputes are handled constructively;
3. Rules make life easier for all;
4. Freer trade cuts the costs of living;
5. It provides more choice of products and qualities;
6. Trade raises incomes;
7. Trade stimulates economic growth;
8. The basic principles make life more efficient;
9. Governments are shielded from lobbying;
10. The system encourages good government.
Exercise 8. Lookat the highlighted expressions in the text. Which of them mean the same?
a) in a better situation
b) to successfully deal with a difficult situation
c) to make something easy to notice so that people pay attention to it
d) to gradually change and develop over a period of time
e) to discuss something until you find a solution or reach an agreement
f) more important than anything else
g) the essential or most vital part of something
Exercise 9. Go to the official website of the WTO to find this booklet. Choose any point of the 10 benefits the system gives and prepare to talk about it in more detail in class.
http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/10ben_e/10b00_e.htm
Exercise 10. Paraphrase the sentences using for-phrases with the Infinitive. Use the prompts in brackets.
1. I can’t comment further on this issue as both these matters are now before the courts. (It is not appropriate for…)
2. People can visit these centers as we provide their access in partnership with Papua New Guinea and Nauru. (We provide access for…)
3. The number acts as a pointer in order that DHS could access information while ensuring no outside parties have access. (The number acts as a pointer for…)
4. If you have the possibility to secure its release, another individual may also affect for you Customs clearance of a single, non-commercial shipment not requiring formal entry. (It is possible for…)
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5. He opened his suitcase so that the inspector could check it. (He opened his suitcase for…)
6. If you want to know the exact rate of duty on an item you want to send to the US, please call your local port and ask to speak to an import specialist. (If it’s critical for…)
7. You needn’t pay any duty on this item. (There is no need for…)
8. You’d better consult a Customs broker. (The best thing for…)
9. A loose-leaf volume containing regulations was published and public could carry out customs laws. (A loose-leaf volume containing regulations was published for…)
10. The Customs authorities must deal efficiently with the increasing number of passengers. (It is important for…)
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