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Whose Trade Organization?
A Comprehensive Guide to the WTO

World Trade Organization (WTO)


The World Trade Organization (WTO) is a powerful global commerce agency, and one of the main mechanisms of corporate globalization. Under the WTO's system of corporate-managed trade, short-run corporate profits dominate social, environmental, labor and other values. The WTO even places limits on our ability to rein in the Wall Street banks that wrecked the economy.

Background

Established in 1995 after the Uruguay Round of global trade talks, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a powerful global commerce agency that transformed and expanded the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) into an enforceable global commerce code.

In November 1999, the World Trade Organization's (WTO) Third Ministerial Meeting in Seattle collapsed in spectacular fashion, in the face of unprecedented protest from people and governments around the world. These are the events documented (via a fictionalized account) in the Battle in Seattle film. In 2001, the so-called "Doha Round" of WTO expansion negotiations was launched, but these negotiations have been mired in controversy ever since, despite numerous attempts (and no shortage of strong-arm tactics) to complete talks. Continue reading...

Consumer Safeguards  |  Financial Regulation  |  Global Movement  | Take Action!

Get Informed

WTO Attacks Against U.S. Consumer Safeguards

In a set of recent decisions, the WTO has ruled against U.S. country-of-origin labels on meat, dolphin-safe labels on tuna, and the ban on sweet-flavored cigarettes designed to combat youth smoking. These are the policies we rely on to allow us to protect children's health and make informed decisions as consumers.

WTO Undermining Financial Reregulation

One of the root causes of the global financial crisis has largely been ignored: over the last several decades, the U.S. government and corporations have pushed extreme financial deregulation worldwide using "trade" agreements and international agencies like the WTO.

Global Movement to Turn Around the WTO

A worldwide network of organizations, activists and social movements are committed to challenging trade and investment agreements that advance the interests of the world's most powerful corporations at the expense of democracy, people, and the environment.

Take Action!

Sign the Consumer Rights Pledge

Shine the spotlight on the WTO's attack on consumer rights: Take the pledge today! By taking action can we make sure that the Obama administration and Congress do not bow to the WTO orders.

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