On The Issue Of Trade Facilitation Negotiation Of Doha Round

The development of telecommunication technology, the popularization of Internet and the innovation on international supply chain administration injected vitality into the growth of international trade in recent decades. Meanwhile, various international, regional, sub-regional, multi-lateral and bi-lateral negotiations are continuously reducing the negative impact of tariff, quantity limitation, and market entry limitations on international trade. The liberalization of international trade has progressed greatly; the negative impacts of complicated and inconsistent procedures at governmental authority level and the repeated demands of trade bills on merchants have become obvious. Hence, as one of the"non-tariff policies", Trade Facilitation is now receiving more and more attentions from international organization and economic bodies. For a more efficient, well-coordinated and transparent international trade procedure, many international organizations and economic bodies have made continuous efforts on eliminating"Inefficiency of International Trade". WTO, as the"Economic United Nations", has been regarding the issue by implementing a series of empirical studies and analysis since 1995, and has listed the issue as a part of the new round of"DDA".From the perspective of China, the improvement of trade administration procedure and the provision of convenient trade conditions has always been its target. As a major international trade nation with rapid development in international trade, Trade Facilitation has its practical and theoretical meanings to China. This paper, under the topic of research"On the Trade Facilitation Issue of Doha Round", seeks to explore the importance of Trade Facilitation by analyzing relevant researches of WCO, APEC and other international organizations, and to discuss the relevant issues and different understandings of the Parties during the Talk, and, finally, with respect to China's practice and standpoint, to comment on a right strategy of China on the issue during"Doha Development Agenda"and on how to improve Trade Facilitation in China.This paper has four chapters, and 40,000 words. The following is an extract of the content:Chapter One,"General Understanding of Trade Facilitation", admits that Trade Facilitation could be defined in either a broad sense or a narrow sense on the basis of analyzing the connotation and denotation of Trade Facilitation. From a broad sense, the definition of Trade Facilitation accords with the essence of Trade Facilitation, however, from a more practical sense, Trade Facilitation under WTO Talks shall be defined in a narrow sense. Further, an analysis of costs and profits by implementing Trade Facilitation policies is made on the basis of the proper defining of Trade Facilitation and the discussion of the researches by relevant international organizations. The paper indicates that Trade Facilitation could be an important factor to promote the trade and investment in developing countries, and that an effective implementation of construction capability support and policies facilitating international trade would ensure more benefits for developing countries during international trade and boost the economy of those countries.Chapter Two,"Researches of Trade Facilitation by WTO and Other International Organizations", discusses the current efforts and existing problems during the research on Trade Facilitation issue by other international organizations. The paper indicates that, based on the discussion of the problems concerning Trade Facilitation under WTO framework and the WTO negotiation processes, it is necessary to establish a Trade Facilitation framework under WTO. WTO is the best place to promote Trade Facilitation policies, however, WTO is not able to promote Trade Facilitation alone, the cooperation with other international organizations is necessary and helpful.Chapter Three"Relevant Issues concerning Trade Facilitation during Doha Round of Talks"is the main part of the paper. In this Chapter, the reason of reserving Trade Facilitation issue during"Singapore Conference"is discussed. The paper indicates that the fate of"Singapore Conference"reveals WTO's standpoint concerning issues like trade or development, trade or non-trade. In the second Section of this Chapter, the paper discusses the features of Model Files of Trade Facilitation under"July Framework". The paper also indicates the problems exiting in"Model Files", for example, the vague legal effect of the rules increases the difficulty and uncertainty of the negotiation. In the third Section of this Chapter, the paper discusses all the major issues during negotiation, and author's views concerning the different understandings is also put forward here, the issues are as the following: 1. Clarification concerning Article 5,8,10 of GATT 1994; 2 the legal effect of rules; 3. focuses of developing members, such as the need of Trade Facilitation and priority field, technology support and construction capability support. In the Fourth Section of this Chapter, the paper explores the basic principles that should be implemented by the Parties during Trade Facilitation negotiation and practice. Finally, in this Chapter, the paper indicates the future prospects of Trade Facilitation Issue during"Doha Round".Chapter Four,"Trade Facilitation and China", according to the practice in China, affirms China's efforts to promote Trade Facilitation since its Open and Reform Policy. The paper also comments on the right attitude of China during WTO Trade Facilitation Negotiation.