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Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of trade liberalisation?
What is the primary purpose of trade liberalisation?
What significant agreement was created in 1947 to promote international trade?
What significant agreement was created in 1947 to promote international trade?
How has trade liberalisation affected living standards in developing nations?
How has trade liberalisation affected living standards in developing nations?
What role does the WTO play in international trade?
What role does the WTO play in international trade?
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Why do governments impose tariffs?
Why do governments impose tariffs?
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What is an effect of trade liberalisation on consumers?
What is an effect of trade liberalisation on consumers?
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Which country mentioned benefited significantly in its garment industry due to trade liberalisation?
Which country mentioned benefited significantly in its garment industry due to trade liberalisation?
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What is a consequence of the World Trade Organization's agreements?
What is a consequence of the World Trade Organization's agreements?
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What effect did GATT have on job creation?
What effect did GATT have on job creation?
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What do tariffs provide for poorer countries aside from protection of domestic businesses?
What do tariffs provide for poorer countries aside from protection of domestic businesses?
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Study Notes
Trade Liberalisation
- Definition: Trade liberalisation is the process of reducing tariffs and barriers to make international trade easier. It's the opposite of protectionism.
GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade)
- Creation: Established in 1947.
- Benefits: Led to increased global living standards as developing nations could export goods to industrialized countries without high tariffs.
- Impact on specific countries: China and India experienced rapid growth through GATT.
- Economic benefits: Created jobs for unskilled workers and generated between $250-$680 billion in income annually for participating countries. This benefit was particularly seen in labor-intensive industries in developing nations, due to a comparative advantage of low labor costs.
- Success story: The garment industry in India experienced significant success under GATT.
WTO (World Trade Organisation)
- Creation: Established in 1994 from GATT.
- Purpose: Reduce trade barriers, ensuring countries adhere to trade agreements.
- Dispute resolution: Addresses complaints and facilitates negotiations among member countries, leading to formal rulings.
- Trade liberalisation: Encourages trade liberalisation and provides a platform to negotiate trade disputes.
- Enforcement: Deals with disputes and ensures countries follow agreements.
Tariffs and Trade Liberalisation
- Government protectionism: Governments use tariffs, quotas, and rules to shield domestic industries from competition and imports.
- Reasons for tariffs: Include maintaining domestic industries, controlling imports of cheaper goods to protect local businesses, and generating revenue for poorer nations.
- Impact of liberalisation: Liberalization involves reducing these tariffs and quotas, making goods and services from abroad more readily available.
- Consumer benefits: Reduced costs and wider selections of goods and services.
Benefits of Trade Liberalisation
- Lower Prices: Consumers benefit from lower prices of goods because of increased competition and access to a wider range from various countries.
- Wider Variety: Access to a larger selection of quality goods and services.
- Economic growth: Increased productivity, investment, and competition can fuel economic growth.
Benefits to Businesses from Trade Liberalisation
- Diversified Risk: Trade diversifies risks and directs resources to areas with the best potential returns.
- Improved Competition/Investment: Trade openness spurs competition, attracts investment, and boosts productivity.
- Specific Industries: Particular industries in specific countries (e.g., Uganda’s coffee and other industries) benefit.
Drawbacks of Trade Liberalisation
- Increased Competition: Intensified competition can squeeze profit margins, impacting businesses.
- Job displacement: Temporary or menial jobs might be created, but overall, jobs may be displaced due to competition.
- Environmental Impact: Increased demand can lead to pollution and overuse of resources.
- Dependency: Developing nations can become economically reliant on industrialized nations.
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Description
Explore the concepts of trade liberalisation, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and the formation of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Understand how these frameworks have transformed international trade and impacted global economies, especially in developing nations like China and India. This quiz highlights the economic benefits and success stories that emerged from these agreements.
