Trade facilitation - WTO law and its revision to facilitate global trade in goods

Abstract

The article provides an overview of trade facilitation and the relevant World Trade Organization (WTO) law. After introducing the subject, the article describes what trade facilitation entails and demonstrates its economic impact. The focus turns to the current WTO trade facilitation negotiations. In order to assess the potential for revision, relating panel and Appellate Body reports are analysed and the contents of the relevant GATT Articles - namely Articles V, VIII and X of the GATT - are clarified. Furthermore, other multilateral trade agreements are looked at. It is shown that they contain certain principles that are likely to set a trend for matters to be regulated by the WTO. Finally, the article looks at some of the Members' proposals submitted to the WTO Secretariat and gives an outlook on the future of the negotiations.