高级商务英语阅读补充时文SupplementaryReadingforChapter7TheWTODisputeSettlementasaModelforInternationalGovernmentTheWorldTradeOrganization(WTO)andDisputeSettlementProceduresLastUpdated:4/24/2004TheWorldTradeOrganization(WTO)wasestablishedin1995inthefinalround(UruguayRound)oftheGeneralAgreementonTariffsandTrade(GATT)negotiations.TheWTOisnotasimpleextensionofGATT,butacompletereplacementofitwithadifferentcharacter.TheWTOembodiesthenegotiatedresultsoftheUruguayRoundandisthesuccessortoGATT.TheWTOisresponsibleforenforcingtheGATTagreements,whicharedesignedtoreducebarrierstoworldtrade.DuringthetradenegotiationsglobalrulesforinternationaltradewereimprovedandextendedtomosttradingnationsonanequivalentbasisandresponsibilityforenforcingtheseruleswasentrustedtothenewlycreatedWTO.Additionally,theWTOprovidesproceduresfornegotiatingadditionalreductionsoftradebarriersandforthepromptandeffectivesettlementofdisputesinallpolicyareascoveredbythenewworldtradeagreement.TheUruguayRoundestablisheddisputesettlementproceduresfortheWTO.ThiswascalledtheUnderstandingonRulesandProceduresGoverningtheSettlementofDisputes(DSU).THESTRUCTUREOFTHEWTOTheStructureoftheWTOisdominatedbyitshighestauthority,theMinisterialConference,composedofrepresentativesofallWTOmembers,whichisrequiredtomeetatleasteverytwoyearsandwhichcantakedecisiononallmattersunderanyofthemultilateraltradeagreements.Theday-to-dayworkoftheWTOiscarriedoutbyanumberofsubsidiarybodies;primarilytheGeneralCouncil,whichisalsocomposedofallWTOmembers,whichisrequiredtoreporttotheMinisterialConference.AswellasconductingitsregularworkonbehalfoftheMinisterialConference,theGeneralCouncilconvenesintwoparticularforms-astheDisputeSettlementBody(DSB),tooverseethedisputesettlementprocedures,andastheTradePolicyReviewBodytoconductregularreviewsofthetradepoliciesofindividualWTOmembers.TheGeneralCouncildelegatesresponsibilitytothreeothermajorbodies:theCouncilforTradeinGoods,theCouncilforTradeinServices,andtheCouncilforTradeRelatedAspectsofIntellectualProperty....
