In dem vorstehenden Beitrag behandelt der Autor die Bedeutung
der Gesprächsrunden über den Welthandel. 1999 werde, so Sir
Leon Brittan, ein sehr wichtiges Jahr für die Welthandelspolitik,
da die Finanzkrisen für Unruhe gesorgt haben und inzwischen
keine Volkswirtschaft mehr im nationalen Rahmen bestehen kann.
Bei den Gesprächen seien keine protektionistischen Lösungen
der Vergangenheit, sondern eine weitere Liberalisierung gefragt.
Die Europäische Verpflichtung zu einem auf Regeln basierenden
multilateralen Handelssystem ist so stark wie seit jeher.
Der Artikel blickt kurz auf die Ergebnisse der vergangenen Welthandelsrunden
zurück und zieht eine positive Bilanz. Bei den letzten Gesprächen
in Uruguay wurde die WTO als ständige Einrichtung und als Forum
für Streitfragen im Welthandel gegründet. Sie habe, so betont
der Autor, eine erfolgreiche Arbeit geleistet. Dennoch bleibe
viel zu tun. Das ist der Grund, warum Europa eine „Jahrtausend-Runde"
für Gespräche über den Welthandel vorschlägt. Denn nach wie
vor bestünden noch Hindernisse für einen wirklich freien Welthandel.
Nur neue multilaterale Gespräche, die alle Industriesparten
und alle Handelsstaaten umfassen, ermöglichen eine solide und
gerechte Neuordnung.
Obwohl diese Jahrtausend-Runde aber auf Marktwirtschaft setzen
solle, dürfe sie nicht nur Geschäftsinteressen verfolgen. Vielmehr
sei ein vernünftiges Verhältnis von Handel auf der einen und
Umwelt, akzeptablen Arbeitsbedingungen, ungefährlichen Nahrungsmitteln
und fairer Tierbehandlung auf der anderen Seite erforderlich.
Eine weitere Herausforderung sieht der Autor darin, das Verständnis
und das Vertrauen der Bevölkerung zu diesem multilateralen Handelssystem
zu stärken. Es sei notwendig, die wirtschaftlichen und sozialen
Vorteile zu erklären, die von einem expandierenden Welthandel
ausgehen. |
1999 will
be a crucial year for world trade policy. Against the background
of financial crisis in Asia and Russia, the role and importance
of the global economy has never been more centre stage. As the next
century approaches, no economy can remain insulated from the global
market place.
But the answer
is not to try to turn the clock back. Retreating behind protectionist
barriers reminiscent of the 1930s is a sure-fire way to make a bad
situation worse.
Rather the
crisis shows more than ever the need to look forward - and embrace
further trade liberalisation. We must work together to keep markets
open and to tackle global economic turbulence collectively.
The EU's commitment
to a rules-based multilateral trading system is as strong today
as ever. We are convinced that multilateralism is the best model
for international co-operation and economic stability. An open trade
policy leads to world-wide growth, prosperity and jobs. Comprehensive,
multilateral negotiations are our best way of tackling the millennium
challenges head on.
This year we
celebrated 50 years of the multilateral trading system. We should
rightly be proud of the achievements GATT has made in breaching
protectionist walls. Eight 'rounds' of major global trade talks
have hammered at the boundaries of trade liberalisation to the benefit
of business and consumers alike.
The last talks
the mammoth Uruguay Round led to the creation of the
World Trade Organisation as a permanent body and a forum for settling
trade disputes. In just four years it has made a significant impact
with the new Dispute Settlement Body successfully arbitrating trade
quarrels across the globe.
Since then
agreements to open markets in information technology, financial
services and telecommunications have been successfully negotiated.
The WTO Telecoms agreement which came into force early in 1998 covers
more than 93% of world revenues in telecommunications. And the financial
services deal concluded in Geneva last December covers over 97%
of insurance premiums of WTO member countries. These agreements
provide global rules in some of the worlds most dynamic fast
growing industries.
But much remains
to be done. That's why the European Union, already backed by Japan,
Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Mexico, Chile and others, believe
the best way forward is to hold a new round of global trade talks
starting on 1 January 2000 - a 'Millennium Round'.
Only new multilateral
negotiations on this scale, involving all industries and all trading
countries, will enable every sector to say what it wants done
and offer governments the chance to strike cross-sectoral deals.
Nothing is agreed until everything is agreed - but everyone stands
to benefit from the final outcome.
Relying on
sectoral or geographical agreements may offer piecemeal comfort
in the short term but cannot provide long term prospects for global
growth. The benefits of comprehensive liberalisation will spread
widely across the economy, and will not just benefit particular
sectors or interest groups.
A built-in
agenda for new trade talks is already on the table as part of the
Uruguay Round agreements. As part of that, WTO members have already
committed themselves to begin negotiations on agricultural subsidies
and services by the end of next year. The potential gains in these
areas are huge.
But the European
Union believes these negotiations should be much broader. Trade
and investment and trade and competition rules are two areas which
we cannot afford to ignore. Indeed the WTO has already set up working
groups to look at both of these.
And the Millennium
Round should also embrace new issues such as further liberalisation
of industrial tariffs, and electronic commerce an area which
has expanded tremendously since the Uruguay Round.
Exporters across
the globe are being obstructed by a plethora of non-tariff barriers.
There is a growing need to simplify export and import procedures;
to focus on product standards and technical regulations; to strengthen
intellectual property rights; to expand on the existing rules for
public procurement; to simplify complex rules of origin; and to
look at ways of ensuring that investment and competition rules do
not amount to barriers to the free movement of goods, services and
capital world-wide. These pressing issues cannot wait.
But although
the new trade round should be market driven it must reflect more
than the interests of business alone. We must look closely at the
relationship between trade and the environment, labour standards,
food safety and animal welfare.
Another challenge
is to strengthen public understanding of and confidence in the multilateral
system. To do this we must take steps to improve the transparency
of WTO procedures and give greater weight to the consultation process.
It is vital that we explain the economic and social benefits resulting
from an expansion of world trade to interested groups and the wider
public.
The world cannot
afford to stand back at this critical moment. The Asian and Russian
financial crises make it even more important that we act quickly.
We must inject greater urgency into opening up world markets. And
we must resist any moves to return to crippling pre-war protectionism.
If we are to
enter the next century on a firm economic footing, there must be
further trade liberalisation leading to a truly comprehensive 'Millennium
Round'.
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