01

More Transparent

Foreign companies, investors, and governments must have stability, predictability and confidence that trade barriers would not be increased arbitrarily; that investment is encouraged, jobs are created and consumers can fully enjoy the advantages of competition—plenty of choice and lower prices.

02

More Support for Less Developed Countries

Giving less developed countries more time to adjust, greater flexibility and special privileges. Over three-quarters of WTO members are developing countries and countries in transition to market economies. WTO pacts give them transition periods to adjust to WTO provisions.

03

More Competitive

Reducing unfair practices, such as subsidising exports and dumping products below cost to gain market share, determining what is fair or unfair, and how governments can respond, particularly by imposing additional import duties to compensate for harm caused by unfair trade.

04

Environment Protection

WTO members can take measures to protect the environment, including animal and plant health. These procedures should be applied in the same way on both national and foreign companies.

05

Freer Trade

Reducing trade barriers such as tariffs and protection measures, import bans or quotas is one of the most encouraging ways to ensure smooth trade.

06

Non-discrimination

A country should not discriminate between its trading partners, and between own and foreign products, services or nationals.