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The World Trade Organisation (WTO)
The WTO is best understood as an ongoing negotiation rather than institution.
It is a process through which rules of trade are set and where trade agreements
are negotiated by all member countries. The WTO acts as a governing body that
overseas and settles any trade disputes. It originated as an organisation to
oversee the General Agreement on Trade and Tariffs (GATT) to control escalating
tariffs in international trade.
Further background to the WTO
Last updated: 4 October 2005
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