The value of world trade has increased 27-fold since 1950, three time more that the growth of global GDP. An increasing share of that trade involves international supply chains and the global fragmentation of production. But many countries do not participate intensively in this process. One...

This paper discusses the challenges that confront the WTO, inspired by the recent appointment of a new Director-General for the organization and various views that have been expressed by knowledgeable observers as to how these challenges should be addressed. The paper focuses in particular on...

At the 9th Ministerial Conference of the WTO in Bali it was agreed to develop a work program to conclude the long-running Doha round. This report argues that any work program should recognize that goods and services are increasingly produced in international supply chains. Many of the policies...

The value of world trade has increased 27-fold since 1950, three time more that the growth of global GDP. An increasing share of that trade involves international supply chains and the global fragmentation of production. But many countries do not participate intensively in this process. One...

This paper discusses the challenges that confront the WTO, inspired by the recent appointment of a new Director-General for the organization and various views that have been expressed by knowledgeable observers as to how these challenges should be addressed. The paper focuses in particular on...

Reducing public sector deficits and high debt burdens in part will require an increase in net exports – which is only possible if the countries concerned are able to produce goods and services that are 'competitive' on world markets. Policies aimed at enhancing competitiveness may be offset by...

Greater integration into the international economy is a key means through which countries in the Middle East and North Africa can reap the benefits of already existing market opportunities to accelerate economic growth and job creation. An effective economic integration strategy requires...

This paper explores how the political support for Labour Market Regulation (LMR) is affected by economic and political integration in a two country OLG model. We model LMR as wage regulation and analyse three institutional settings: Autarchy, Economic Union and Political Union. In Autarchy...