Xina, bananes i el futur del comerç internacional

Abstract

The objectives of the World Trade Organization's Millenium Round in Seattle (USA) sum up the international trade conflicts which are on the agenda for multilateral negotiations at the beginning of the 21st century. International trade takes place in a framework of increasingly globalised markets, although the strategic commercial policies of the different blocs and countries include points that are characteristic of imperfect competition. The most significant conflict centres on the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy. At the last GATT Uruguay Round it was agreed that this policy would be reformed. Social and ecological dumping are two permanent issues in negotiations aimed at making international trade both fair and sustainable. The gradual disappearance of tariff barriers and quotas has been offset by an abundance of technical barriers. Moreover, industrial policies and the interests of powerful lobbies usually take precedence over aims to defend competition in world markets. The banana war, violation of industrial and intellectual property rights and cultural exception in terms of the audiovisual industry demonstrate the complexity of negotiations involving commercial diplomacy. Lastly, mention must be made of new emerging economies such as the People's Republic of China which are now taking their place in WTO negotiations on the future of international trade.