Akademik

   The WTO is an international multilateral trade system formed in 1995 (during the Uruguay Round negotiations 1986-1994) as the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that was first established after World War II. While it began as a forum for negotiating lower customs duties and other trade barriers, it has become the umbrella organization for international trade issues that deal with specific sectors such as agriculture, textiles, and services; or specific problems like state trading, subsidies, actions against dumping, intellectual property, dispute settlement, and trade policy reviews. The services area is a recent addition to the topics covered. In addition, the WTO assists developing countries in trade policy through technical assistance and training programs and interfaces with other international organizations. The WTO is based in Geneva and maintains a membership of 150 countries.