Answer: 

Introduction:

A trade war is an economic conflict between nations characterized by the imposition of tariffs and trade barriers to protect domestic industries and gain leverage in international trade negotiations. The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established in 1995 to supervise and liberalize international trade. Recent trade wars between the US and other countries have highlighted the need for reforms to ensure the survival of the WTO.

Body:

• Current Issues in the WTO:
  • Loss of Utility: The current trading system represented by the WTO has lost its utility for the US and the EU, signaling a need for reform to address their concerns and priorities.
  • Inadequate Response to China: The US and the EU have struggled to effectively counter China’s tariff manipulation within the confines of WTO rules, leading to a desire for alternative approaches.
  • Neglected Obligations: The US and the EU are hesitant to meet their existing WTO obligations, such as reducing agriculture subsidies, and instead prioritize pushing for e-commerce rules that benefit their own industries.
• Reforms Needed:
  • Fulfilling Agreed-upon Issues: Most WTO member countries, including India, emphasize the importance of delivering on existing commitments, such as reducing agriculture subsidies, before focusing on new priorities.
  • Addressing Concerns of Major Economies: Reforms should address the concerns and interests of major economies like the US and the EU, aiming to restore their confidence in the WTO and encourage their active participation.
  • Balancing Old and New Obligations: The WTO should strike a balance between addressing long standing obligations and incorporating new areas like e-commerce, ensuring fairness and inclusivity for all member countries.
  • Strengthening Enforcement Mechanisms: Reforms should strengthen enforcement mechanisms within the WTO to address instances of non-compliance and ensure that member countries adhere to agreed-upon rules.
  • Facilitating Negotiations: The WTO should facilitate negotiations among member countries to find common ground on contentious issues, fostering consensus-building and constructive dialogue.
  • Promoting Development and Equity: Reforms should prioritize the interests of developing countries, including special and differential treatment, to ensure their meaningful participation and benefits from the global trading system.

Conclusion:

India, as a prominent member of the WTO, has a significant stake in its continued relevance and effectiveness. Key areas of reform include the dispute settlement system, reducing trade costs, and modalities of negotiations. India should call for systemic reform in these crucial areas to ensure the WTO’s functioning benefits all its members, particularly developing countries.