Skip to main content

South Africa in the WTO

Lee, Donna (2006) South Africa in the WTO. In: Lee, Donna and Taylor, Ian and Williams, Paul D., eds. The New Multilateralism in South African Diplomacy. Palgrave, Houndmills, Basingstoke, pp. 51-77. ISBN 978-0-230-00461-0. (doi:10.1057/9780230503830_3) (KAR id:38116)

Abstract

The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is an enormously powerful and, therefore, significant international institution for South Africa. Its 148 members account for ninety percent of world trade in which exports account for around a quarter of world GDP. The mandatory nature of WTO agreements, the single undertaking, the strengthened dispute settlement system, the robust trade review process, as well as its widening trade agenda means that it has a major impact on the economic well-being of all its members, including South Africa. Indeed no country, but especially developing countries, can afford to remain outside the WTO regime. Moreover, few developing countries can afford to remain politically isolated within the institution and given the structural and diplomatic capability asymmetries within the WTO, most countries seek alliances with others in order to counter these inequalities and thus strengthen their hand in negotiations.

Item Type: Book section
DOI/Identification number: 10.1057/9780230503830_3
Uncontrolled keywords: South Africa, agriculture, multilateralism, trade diplomacy, foreign ministries,
Subjects: J Political Science
J Political Science > JF Political institutions and public administration
J Political Science > JX International law
J Political Science > JZ International relations
Divisions: Divisions > Division of Human and Social Sciences > School of Politics and International Relations
Depositing User: Donna Lee
Date Deposited: 30 Jan 2014 20:29 UTC
Last Modified: 18 Dec 2023 10:12 UTC
Resource URI: https://kar.kent.ac.uk/id/eprint/38116 (The current URI for this page, for reference purposes)

University of Kent Author Information

Lee, Donna.

Creator's ORCID:
CReDIT Contributor Roles:
  • Depositors only (login required):

Total unique views for this document in KAR since July 2020. For more details click on the image.