UPSC Mains 2018 · GS II · Q19 · 15 marks · 250 words

What are the key areas of reform if the WTO has to survive in the present context of ‘Trade War’, especially keeping in mind the interest of India?

हिन्दी में

यदि ‘व्यापार युद्ध’ के वर्तमान परिदृश्य में विश्व व्यापार संगठन (डब्ल्यू० टी० ओ०) को जिन्दा बने रहना है, तो उसके सुधार के कौन-कौन से प्रमुख क्षेत्र हैं, विशेष रूप से भारत के हित को ध्यान में रखते हुए?

Global InstitutionsTrade and Economic Diplomacy

How a topper answered it

Surabhi YadavAIR 14 · CSE 2025 · 158 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening

WTO established after GATT with India as founding member ensures free and fair trade in the global market.

Body · points

Challenges in current WTO Regime

  1. USA dominance - high voting power. → vetoed creation of resolution mechanism.
  2. lack of enforcement mechanism.
  3. Difficulty in handling Non-Tariff Measure → EU carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism.
  4. Similar application through all countries. → Historical realities unclear
  5. Granting china as Developing country status. challenged

Reforms needed

  1. Address the Non-Tariff Measures → Sanitary & Phytosanitary Measure detailed guidelines.

  2. Address USA → Tariff war challenge

  3. Ensure historical challenges addressed - → India's peace clause demand

  4. Extension of Moratorium to be revisited for the Advantage of Developing world.

  5. Better integration of African Union → Impact → Inclusive growth

  6. Fisheries agreement to be revisited

Close · a summary

WTO needs to strengthen Dispute Resolution Mech

WTO needs to strengthen itself to remain relevant. Multilateral institution & prevent MINILATERAL institutions from diluting its power.

1 more topper’s answer to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2018, General Studies Paper II, Q19. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.