The start of the trade war between the United States and China in 2018 has changed the stage of international relations. Growing tariffs by both the American and Chinese governments has threatened the stability of international trade and multilateral cooperation. Governments have framed trade deficits between United States and China as cause of this trade war. Could growing trade deficits be the only explanation for rising tensions in trade between the United States and China? This study aims to research the causes of the trade war between the United States and China on other grounds than just growing trade deficits. As two major world economies, the trade war between the United States and China has vast complications for the global economy. Growing geopolitical tensions between the United States and China could spark another cold war for the world as this forces other countries to choose between two spheres of global economic power. Tensions such as trade wars are prone to escalation if the future trade outlook between the United States and China becomes dark. This study gives a deeper insight into the bilateral trade relations between the United States and China and the implications of this relationship for the global economy.

Este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar o processo de juridicização do sistema multilateral de comércio, por meio da aplicação do modelo teórico de K. W. Abbott et aI (2000) e contraposição dos resultados obtidos à análise do recurso a elementos normativos para justificação das decisões emanadas do sistema em procedimentos de solução de controvérsias em que foi suscitado o artigo XX(g) do GATT para defesa da medida questionada. Observou-se que, apesar do nível de juridicidade tenha permanecido praticamente o mesmo da passagem do GATT-1947 para a OMC, o recurso a elementos normativos para motivação das decisões foi incrementado. A hipótese demonstrada pelos resultados desta pesquisa é que o enfoque restrito no processo de institucionalização por meio de tratados não permite que sejam refletidas, no processo de juridicização, as alterações ocasionadas por outros elementos, como foi o caso, na presente pesquisa, das regras relativas à conformação dos órgãos auxiliares, à interpretação e à tomada de decisão - sejam elas originadas em tratados, costumes ou princípios. / This research aims at analyzing the legalization of the multilateral trade system, applying the theory developed by K. W. ABBOTT et al (2000) and confronting the results with the leveI of recourse to normative elements to justify the decisions issued on disputes where Article XX(g) of GA TT was used in defense of the challenged measure. Notwithstanding the fact that the legalization of the system did not alter from the GATT-1947 to WTO, more normative elements are used for motivation of the decisions taken by WTO. The research shows that excessive focus on the process institutionalization by treaties does not reflected the changes brought about by other elements, such as the configuration of the auxiliary organs - panels and Appellate Body - and the rules related to interpretation and decision making - be them customary international law or principIes.

<p> <p>&nbsp / </p> </p> <p align="justify">At the heart of this study is the topic of small economies in the Multilateral Trade System (MTS). The study examines the World Trade Organisation&rsquo / s (WTO) legal framework and policy objectives in order to develop a comprehensive definition of small economies as a group of WTO members with specific needs. Particular attention is given to the determination of the specific characteristics of small economies, as well as the issues and constraints they are facing in the MTS. The study explores solutions proposed in order to tackle the constraints to the effective integration of small economies in the MTS, with specific reference to the policy reasoning of small economies. More importantly, the study explores the impact of the size factor, which is certainly not only a burden on the growth and development perspectives of the considered entity, but which may also become an advantage and promotes the trade performance of a small economy. Hypotheses are then made relating to the relevance of the economic and political environments in the determination of a successful (or not) integration, and participation, of a small economy in the MTS. A crucial argument developed is that the differences observed between countries sharing similar characteristics of smallness, vulnerability and remoteness/landlockedness, illustrates the fact that what ultimately matters is the interplay of factors related to the economic and political environments, the effect of which is to promote or constrain (depending on the case) successful integration of the small economy in the MTS.</p>

<p> <p>&nbsp / </p> </p> <p align="justify">At the heart of this study is the topic of small economies in the Multilateral Trade System (MTS). The study examines the World Trade Organisation&rsquo / s (WTO) legal framework and policy objectives in order to develop a comprehensive definition of small economies as a group of WTO members with specific needs. Particular attention is given to the determination of the specific characteristics of small economies, as well as the issues and constraints they are facing in the MTS. The study explores solutions proposed in order to tackle the constraints to the effective integration of small economies in the MTS, with specific reference to the policy reasoning of small economies. More importantly, the study explores the impact of the size factor, which is certainly not only a burden on the growth and development perspectives of the considered entity, but which may also become an advantage and promotes the trade performance of a small economy. Hypotheses are then made relating to the relevance of the economic and political environments in the determination of a successful (or not) integration, and participation, of a small economy in the MTS. A crucial argument developed is that the differences observed between countries sharing similar characteristics of smallness, vulnerability and remoteness/landlockedness, illustrates the fact that what ultimately matters is the interplay of factors related to the economic and political environments, the effect of which is to promote or constrain (depending on the case) successful integration of the small economy in the MTS.</p>

Este trabalho teve por objetivo analisar o processo de juridicização do sistema multilateral de comércio, por meio da aplicação do modelo teórico de K. W. Abbott et aI (2000) e contraposição dos resultados obtidos à análise do recurso a elementos normativos para justificação das decisões emanadas do sistema em procedimentos de solução de controvérsias em que foi suscitado o artigo XX(g) do GATT para defesa da medida questionada. Observou-se que, apesar do nível de juridicidade tenha permanecido praticamente o mesmo da passagem do GATT-1947 para a OMC, o recurso a elementos normativos para motivação das decisões foi incrementado. A hipótese demonstrada pelos resultados desta pesquisa é que o enfoque restrito no processo de institucionalização por meio de tratados não permite que sejam refletidas, no processo de juridicização, as alterações ocasionadas por outros elementos, como foi o caso, na presente pesquisa, das regras relativas à conformação dos órgãos auxiliares, à interpretação e à tomada de decisão - sejam elas originadas em tratados, costumes ou princípios. / This research aims at analyzing the legalization of the multilateral trade system, applying the theory developed by K. W. ABBOTT et al (2000) and confronting the results with the leveI of recourse to normative elements to justify the decisions issued on disputes where Article XX(g) of GA TT was used in defense of the challenged measure. Notwithstanding the fact that the legalization of the system did not alter from the GATT-1947 to WTO, more normative elements are used for motivation of the decisions taken by WTO. The research shows that excessive focus on the process institutionalization by treaties does not reflected the changes brought about by other elements, such as the configuration of the auxiliary organs - panels and Appellate Body - and the rules related to interpretation and decision making - be them customary international law or principIes.

This bachelor thesis examines if a Free Trade Agreement (FTA hereafter) has a positive effect or not on trade flows. There are many FTAs in the world beside World Trade Organization (WTO hereafter) membership. Many empirical studies have been performed by different methods and most of them show a significant influence on trade flows. In this thesis the impact on the FTA between the European Union (EU hereafter) and South Korea is studied by using the Gravity Model in period between 2007 and 2016. Dummy variables which capture the impact on the implementation of the FTA since 2011 are constructed into the standard trade Gravity equation. In addition, several dummy variables, such as the distance between countries and culture characteristic variables are utilized. The results of two different regression models show that both a positive and a negative impact on the EU’s import from South Korea and a negative impact on South Korea’s import from the EU. Overall, all estimated coefficients used in the models show a significant effect on import trade flows between countries.

Magister Legum - LLM / At the heart of this study is the topic of small economies in the Multilateral Trade System (MTS). The study examines the World Trade Organisation’s (WTO) legal framework and policy objectives in order to develop a comprehensive definition of small economies as a group of WTO members with specific needs. Particular attention is given to the determination of the specific characteristics of small economies, as well as the issues and constraints they are facing in the MTS. The study explores solutions proposed in order to tackle the constraints to the effective integration of small economies in the MTS, with specific reference to the policy reasoning of small economies. More importantly, the study explores the impact of the size factor, which is certainly not only a burden on the growth and development perspectives of the considered entity, but which may also become an advantage and promotes the trade performance of a small economy. Hypotheses are then made relating to the relevance of the economic and political environments in the determination of a successful (or not) integration, and participation, of a small economy in the MTS. A crucial argument developed is that the differences observed between countries sharing similar characteristics of smallness, vulnerability and remoteness/landlockedness, illustrates the fact that what ultimately matters is the interplay of factors related to the economic and political environments, the effect of which is to promote or constrain (depending on the case) successful integration of the small economy in the MTS. / South Africa

<p>The rapid growth in the number of regional trade agreements (RTAs) has led to concern about the weakening of the multilateral trading system. This thesis examines the spread of such agreement and the extent to which they pose a threat to the multilateral system. Regionalism and multilateralism are complimentary as shown in the case study of the East African Community. The current regional trade agreement management rules are weak and ambiguous and possible amendments for these rules are proposed</p>

<p>The rapid growth in the number of regional trade agreements (RTAs) has led to concern about the weakening of the multilateral trading system. This thesis examines the spread of such agreement and the extent to which they pose a threat to the multilateral system. Regionalism and multilateralism are complimentary as shown in the case study of the East African Community. The current regional trade agreement management rules are weak and ambiguous and possible amendments for these rules are proposed</p>

Magister Legum - LLM / The rapid growth in the number of regional trade agreements (RTAs) has led to concern about the weakening of the multilateral trading system. This thesis examines the spread of such agreement and the extent to which they pose a threat to the multilateral system. Regionalism and multilateralism are complimentary as shown in the case study of the East African Community. The current regional trade agreement management rules are weak and ambiguous and possible amendments for these rules are proposed. / South Africa