The controversy over the survival of the WTO goes to the top of governments

The controversy over the survival of the WTO goes to the top of governments



14-02-2018 10:32 AM

Baghdad News -
Life
 
The global debate over the feasibility of the World Trade Organization (WTO) has moved into the corridors of the World Summit of Governments, which ended in Dubai yesterday, with the declared support of protectionism in a number of major countries, led by the United States under President Donald Trump, In addition to the occasional protests in some western countries that criticize "globalization" and its repercussions on the marginalized class in the world, and the benefit of countries without them.

"There is no future for the world without the World Trade Organization (WTO)," said WTO Director-General Roberto Azevedo at a summit attended by more than 4,000 government officials and international institutions from 140 countries. "Our work affects business activities around the world, They are actions that affect the lives of society. Globalization is not an option but a reality. " He added that the countries that criticized the organization did not mean it, but talked about the amendment and change in their approaches, systems and working methods, and I support them.

"There is a difference between what states say and what they do. Since the start of the controversy against the WTO, only 5 percent of global trade has been affected. And that the problem with those who advocate and promote protectionism, is that it comes from people who suffer from marginalization, and countries that are not ready for the next technological revolution ».

He stressed that 8 out of 10 people lose their jobs because of new technology, not because of economic or political policies. And that e-commerce remains, and develops at an amazing speed due to modern technology.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, Mukhisa Kitoy, pointed to the need to know why some States opposed free trade policy and considered that the exploitation by politicians of the situation of society for the development of isolationist feelings was dangerous to the future of societies and States.

"In order to make the most of international trade, we first have to define its basic engines, clarify the role of small and medium enterprises, focus on the high competitiveness of globalization and open international trade, and the role of international organizations in controlling trade." The facilitation of trade and investment was the solution, depending on how States did so. Facilitating trade did not mean simplifying but organizing it in a way that would ensure its continuity.

He stressed that free trade is not a cause of people's anger, but the inability of the labor market to organize itself in a way that leads to the elimination of unemployment and create opportunities for graduates and unemployed alike. He pointed out that countries are able to raise their competitiveness if they take the right and logical steps, but some of the major industrialized countries may frustrate this trend through the uniqueness of the decision and the formulation of market policy.

The International Trade Center (ITC) Executive Director Arantcha Gonzalez said today that the world is divided into two groups. First, international trade and open market policies are detrimental to the sovereignty of nations and thus enhance its isolation. The other group is enthusiastic about openness and free trade without any controls or restrictions.

"The politicization of trade is very dangerous and may have negative consequences in the future," said UAE Economy Minister Sultan bin Saeed Al Mansouri.

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