The international trade regulatory system is a dynamic system that has been evolving throughout its history. Tension and conflict are part of the system. While calls for the abolition of the principal trade regulation authority, the WTO, have failed to understand this nature of the system, proponents for reforms have so far not paid sufficient attention to the evolving nature of tension and conflict. This book examines the evolving dynamics in international trade regulation from the conclusion of GATT in 1947 to the current crisis facing the WTO, from a perspective of emerging powers of developing countries with a focus of China as the latest force that demands reforms of the international trade regulatory regime.
There is an extensive body of scholarship on ideological struggles, the rise of developing countries, geopolitical contest, the emerging powers (especially China), the use, misuse or abuse of trading rules and so on. There is, however, a lack of a single concise research book that synthesises these underlying causes and factors into a coherent and precise analytical theme. This book attempts to fill this research gap by building upon the existing scholarship and placing the various tensions and conflicts in a perspective that treats them as dynamic factors that have propelled a continuing process of evolution of the international trade regulation.
The book will interest those researching on international trade regulation as well as development studies.
Author(s): Zhiqiong June Wang, Jianfu Chen
Series: Routledge Research in International Economic Law
Publisher: Routledge
Year: 2023
Language: English
Pages: 148
City: London
Cover
Half Title
Series
Title
Copyright
Contents
Preface and Acknowledgement
List of Abbreviations
Introduction
1. Three Struggles – Old and New in the Name of Pursuing Freer and Fairer Trade
2. A Matter of Perception
3. Structure of the Book
1 Freer Trade: GATT/WTO and the Foundation of Post-War International Economic Order
1. Introduction
2. The Emergence of the Post-War International Trade Regulatory Regime
3. The Liberal Foundation of the Post-War International Economic Order
4. GATT as an Evolving Mechanism
5. Seeds of Contention: The Uruguay Round and a Transformed System
5.1. Transformation and Expansion
5.2. Seeds of Contention
5.3. The Liberal Foundation Maintained
6. Conclusion
References
2 Fairer Trade: Developing Countries and the NIEO
1. Introduction
2. Developing Countries in Context
3. The NIEO and Early Challenges to GATT Foundational Principles
4. GATT/WTO Approach to and Mechanisms for Developing Countries
4.1. Towards a Differential and More Favourable Treatment
4.2. Back to Non-discrimination & Liberalisation
5. A Failed Challenge
6. Fairer Trade: Between a Political Right and a Trading Rule
7. Conclusion
References
3 Regional Trade Agreements: Complementary or Geopolitical
1. Introduction
2. GATT/WTO and RTAs
3. The Rising Powers and the New Challenge to International Economic Order
4. The Doha Stalemate (and Failure) and the Shift to RTA
5. The RTA Showdown and the Disintegration of International Economic Order?
6. From Asia-Pacific to Indo-Pacific – The Naked Geopolitical Rivalry
7. Conclusion
References
4 Geopolitical and Geo-Economic Manoeuvring: The Rise of China
1. Introduction
2. Geopolitical Strategy: The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
2.1. BRI as Controversial Infrastructural Investment Projects
2.2 The BRI Born as a Geopolitical Strategy
3. Geo-Economic Manoeuvring
4. Global Governance: Reform or Rejection
5. The Greatest Challenge Yet: State Capitalism and the Rise of Protectionism
6. Conclusion
References
5 Against the Law of the Jungle: The Need for Efficient, Effective and Impartial Dispute Resolution
1. Introduction
2. From Power-Based Mechanisms to Adjudication among Equals
3. From the Crown Jewel to a Crown of Thorns
4. Law of the Jungle and the Power of the Powerful
5. Conclusion
References
Conclusion
1. The Future of the International Economic Order
2. A Dynamic System and its Means to Survival
References
Index
