Trade monitoring
Supply chains and risk
One area in which both business practitioners and policy makers are immediately able to perceive the significance of the supply chain concept is in the new risks that have materialised in an increasingly interconnected world . Isolated events such as the September 11 attack in the United States in 2001, the Eyjafjallajökull volcano in Iceland, the Fukushima disaster resulting from the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011, and flooding in Thailand in the same year now precipitate waves of uncertainty that travel faster and further than ever before. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the literature on risk and supply chains is one of the most advanced in theoretical development and operational applicability among the supply chain issues reviewed in the literature. In this chapter, we review the central concept of supply chain risk management (SCRM) and provide a more in-depth analysis of the SCRM framework’s underlying concepts of risk identification, assessment, and mitigation.
Introduction
The Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) was first established on a trial basis by the GATT contracting parties in April 1989. The Mechanism became a permanent feature of the World Trade Organization under the Marrakesh Agreement which established the WTO in January 1995.
Key developments
Up to the late 1990s, trade flows rose gradually. This was followed by a strong rise in the early 2000s and a sharp fall after the economic crisis in 2008. Recent years have seen a moderate recovery.
Avant-propos
Nouvelle publication du Secrétariat de l’OMC, le Rapport sur le commerce mondial proposera chaque année une analyse de l’évolution observée dans ce domaine et des questions de fond importantes pour le système des échanges. Au-delà du suivi et de l’interprétation des grandes tendances du commerce international, il s’efforcera d’aider le public à mieux comprendre les problèmes du moment. Le rapport ne prétend cependant pas apporter une réponse globale à des questions qui sont complexes et dont les multiples facettes font l’objet de discussions incessantes au sein des États et des peuples. En s’appliquant à rappeler la genèse des problèmes posés et à offrir un cadre pour leur analyse, il vise plutôt à permettre à chacun de débattre en toute connaissance de cause et de mieux évaluer les ripostes qui peuvent être envisagées.
Trade in a globalizing world
Economic integration is proceeding across the world at an unprecedented pace. Globalization has brought enormous benefits for many countries and citizens. But some have been on the losing end of the process, and opposition to further integration is mounting for a multitude of reasons. Trade is just one aspect of globalization, and links with broader economic, political and technological forces are manifold and complex. Certain arguments against open trade are fuelled by a variety of factors – including a general fear of change – that have little to do with further trade opening. Governments responding to antitrade pressures stemming from anti-globalization arguments risk making poor policy choices. Trade scepticism is clearly a cause of concern, particularly at a time when WTO members are striving to complete the Doha Round. At this crucial juncture, it seems appropriate to revisit the case for trade and to ask ourselves whether the traditional arguments in favour of free trade are still valid.
Activités en matière de règlement des différends en 2012
En 2012, les Membres de l’OMC ont présenté 27 notifications de “demandes de consultations”, soit plus de trois fois plus qu’en 2011. La demande de consultations est la première étape de la procédure de règlement des différends.