The World Trade Organization and Turkey, Fall 2003

Turkey’s choice to become the member of the GATT and later the WTO lay in her fundamental choice to be a part of the West and integrate with the global economy, modernize her economy and improve her external trade relations.Although a founding member of another international organization, primarily regarded as the social club of wealthy nations (OECD), Turkey has the status of a developing country in the WTO system. It is also important to note that Turkey’s EU candidate country status has a crucial effect on its policy options in the WTO. Some of the most important elements of the world economy and trade are at the heart of current discussions/negotiations in the WTO, such as the elimination of trade-distorting domestic agricultural support and export subsidies, transparency in government procurement, , technical barriers to trade and other areas. The WTO’s decisions are binding for all of its members and influence the global economy. Thus, it is not an exaggeration to say that the WTO directly impacts our daily lives...Please click here to read the text in full.