Mega-FTAs and the WTO: Competing or Complementary?. Issue 2 (2nd April 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Urata, Shujiro
• Is Part Of: International economic journal. Volume 30:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 231
• Page End: 242
• Publication Date: 2016-04-02
• Subjects: Mega-FTA -- WTO -- TPP; F13 -- F15 -- F53; Economics -- Periodicals; International economic relations -- Periodicals; Korea (South) -- Economic conditions -- 1960- -- Periodicals; 337
• DOI: 10.1080/10168737.2016.1148422
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1016-8737

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Mega-FTAs involving many countries and encompassing bilateral and mini-lateral FTAs have begun to be negotiated, while the Doha Round of multinational trade negotiations under the WTO have been at a stalemate. Mega-FTAs, which are discriminatory, and the WTO, which is non-discriminatory, are not consistent, thereby leading to a view that they are competing. This article argues that mega-FTAs and the WTO can be complementary, as mega-FTAs could facilitate negotiations with a smaller number of negotiating members. It further stresses the importance of extending mega-FTAs to a global level by merging with other mega-FTAs and by accepting new members.