Before the financial crisis ushered in the current global economic downturn, there was a strong intellectual consensus among mainstream economists and policymakers about the merits of free trade. The world had seen the spread of pro-competition principles, binding multilateral trade rules, hundreds of so-called free trade agreements, and literally thousands of bilateral investment treaties. Did all this serve to prevent discriminatory and selective state intervention during the crisis era? The number of trade disputes launched at the WTO this year would suggest no. At the current rate, 2012 will easily see more disputes than in the two previous years combined.
The Sad Truth Behind Growing Clashes at the WTO
Don’t be fooled by the rhetoric about protectionism.
October 22, 2012
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New!
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Accelerate your career with Harvard ManageMentor®. HBR Learning’s online leadership training helps you hone your skills with courses like Global Collaboration. Earn badges to share on LinkedIn and your resume. Access more than 40 courses trusted by Fortune 500 companies.
Learn how to overcome barriers when working globally.