The WTO and the Uncertain Future of Multilateralism

The WTO and the Uncertain Future of Multilateralism

Author: Cato Institute October 2, 2013 Duration: 1:35:54

The World Trade Organization has been a pillar of the global trading system since its inception in 1995, serving an especially important role in the adjudication of trade disputes and, ultimately, helping to subdue protectionism. But the failure of multilateral negotiations to achieve broader and deeper reductions in global trade barriers, while bilateral and regional agreements have flourished, raises important questions about the WTO and its future. Will large agreements that establish new rules in new areas, such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, relegate the WTO to insignificance, merely lower its profile, or provide a much-needed jolt by suggesting best practices that will ultimately strengthen the multilateral system?

Additional Resources


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.


Step inside the Cato Institute's renowned Washington, D.C. events without leaving your desk. The Cato Event Podcast brings the lecture hall and briefing room directly to you, featuring unfiltered audio from live policy forums, author discussions, and Capitol Hill briefings. Each episode captures the substance of these gatherings, where scholars, policymakers, and leading thinkers engage in detailed conversations about liberty, governance, and current affairs. You'll hear substantive debates and thoughtful commentary that cut through the noise of daily headlines, offering deeper analysis on the issues shaping legislation and public discourse. This isn't a produced studio show; it's a front-row seat to the kind of candid exchanges that happen when experts gather to challenge conventional wisdom. The Cato Institute, through this podcast, provides a direct conduit to these discussions, emphasizing a perspective rooted in individual freedom, limited government, and free markets. Tune in for a raw, intellectual experience that goes beyond soundbites, perfect for anyone who wants to understand the foundational ideas behind today's political news.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 102

Cato Event Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Federalism and Financial Regulation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:07:37
Financial markets are some of the most heavily regulated markets in the United States. Firms and individuals that wish to engage in financial services–related businesses face complex regulatory regimes that are overseen…
Back to School: A Conversation on the State of Education [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:32
Join Cato education scholars Neal McCluskey, Colleen Hroncich, and Andrew Gillen for an online panel discussion on the current state of American education as students return to classrooms nationwide. Moderated by USA Tod…
Competencies in Civil Discourse: Episode 8 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:04
Our guest is Ildi Tillmann, a Hungary-born, New York–based photographer, author, and educator whose work spans art, documentary, narrative journalism, and commissioned photography, placing human stories in a global conte…
Ranked Choice, Election Reform, and the New York City Vote [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:35
The dramatic outcome of the New York City mayoral primary, in which Zohran Mamdani outpaced former governor Andrew Cuomo and then clinched the win with second-choice votes from other candidates, has drawn attention to th…
Misinformation: What Is It and What Should We Do About It? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:43
Misinformation is a widespread and serious concern within our society today. Nearly every issue we face involves claims of misinformation, as well as disinformation and otherwise misleading content. But despite being fre…
The Effects of Tariffs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:37
Join us at the Cato Institute for a conversation on the complex and uncertain US tariff situation and the policies’ effects, especially for the American wine and spirits industries.In Kentucky, bourbon has long been a so…
Libertarianism vs. Conservatism Intern Debate [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:22
Libertarians and conservatives often share values like individual liberty and limited government, but their approaches to key policy issues can differ sharply. From trade policy to immigration, these differences reveal d…