World Trade Organization

The WTO Agreements are rewriting the rules of economic intercourse between countries and forging a multilateral framework for world trade. This text presents the provisions in non-technical language, seeking not to detract from their legal precision. It explains technical terms, gives examples where appropriate and links widely-scattered provisions in the Agreements where they are connected in their operation. The guide seeks to be useful to both those who are not yet acquainted with the subject and to those still needing clarification of certain concepts, ideas and general provisions. It aims to foster an understanding of WTO Agreements, to help countries to know their rights and obligations, and industry and trade bodies to know the parameters within which they now operate.