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The OECD does not have a direct voice in the trade negotiations undertaken by the World Trade Organization (WTO). Nevertheless, it plays an important supporting role. The effort to complete the trade talks launched in 2001 in Doha means this work will remain a priority for the OECD.
The organization develops research, data, and trade analysis that provide trade ministers – including those from developing countries -- with valuable information that facilitates negotiation.
For example, in the run-up to the December 2005 WTO Ministerial Conference, the OECD produced a number of short papers summarizing for both officials and the public some of its most relevant recent work.
These “Policy Briefs” included papers on “Making Open Markets Work for Development" and "Opening Markets for Environmental Goods and Services." The OECD had previously distributed free-of-charge to all WTO member governments “Tool Kits for Trade Policy Makers,” designed to help enhance understanding of trade policy issues and negotiating procedures.
The OECD provides opportunities for meaningful dialogue on issues related to the WTO’s Doha Development Agenda. Representatives of non-governmental organizations, as well as of non-member governments, are welcome interlocutors.
These meetings range from informal consultations to regional workshops to large meetings, like the October 2006 Global Forum on Market Access and Development.
Helping to build the trade capacity of developing nations is another significant contribution of the OECD.
For example, in 2006, the OECD provided inputs for the discussions of the WTO Task Force on aid for trade. It is now focused on assessing and enhancing the effectiveness of aid for trade to ensure it is an effective tool for helping developing countries to fully realize the benefits of trade liberalization and WTO Agreements.
The OECD also maintains a database of nearly 8000 ongoing trade assistance activities. This tool assists donors to achieve higher degrees of co-ordination and monitor the implementation of trade assistance commitments.
Finally, the OECD Trade Committee and Trade Committee Working Party continue to provide Members and an increasing number of non-members with the opportunity to explore creative, realistic, and flexible ways to strengthen the international trading system. Because the OECD is not a negotiating forum, representatives can speak more freely and candidly here. In this way, the OECD can help forge a consensus among key trading partners in areas important to the United States.
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| U.S. Interests |
Trade issues are a key part of the U.S. agenda at the OECD. OECD support of the Doha Agenda is designed to provide the analytical evidence supporting the further strengthening of the multilateral trading system, and to advocate the benefits of free trade to all countries, so that our developed and developing country partners will join us at the negotiating table in all areas of the trade agenda. Our goal is an ambitious agreement that opens markets, creates new trade flows, and supports economic growth and development.
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