Introduction

Summary

This book is designed as a guidebook to the multilateral trading system, its past, its present, and a look toward its potential future. It includes taking the reader on a virtual walk through the corridors of the WTO, the Italianate Centre William Rappard, after hearing of the history of trade and trade negotiations, to sit in on some of the working sessions of delegates. The book’s objective is to convey an understanding of the value of the WTO, as well as the values that it promotes, to have a first-hand feel for what the WTO is all about, to understand its importance and its shortcomings, and to join with it in celebrating its successes. The look to the future includes in these pages some ideas upon which to start a discussion of how to obtain the oft-pledged “WTO reform.”