26 Oct Vietnam Wins Invitation to Join the WTO
The Working Party on the accession of Viet Nam to the WTO completed its discussions today in Geneva and decided to approve Vietnam’s application to join. Final approval by the WTO General Council should occur before the end of the year and Vietnam would become the 150th member of the WTO, leaving only Russia, Ukraine, and Iran as the major economies still outside the WTO system. Vietnam had to swallow some fairly major concessions to join, but as this NYT article suggests, world trade is benefiting Vietnam is fairly dramatic ways. So this is probably worth it, at least for Vietnam. We’ll see how the U.S. Congress feels about this deal for Vietnam, though, since its approval of permanent normal trading status would be required eventually, and a Democratic Congress is unlikely to sign on.
I’m delighted to learn of this. I do think it can only help the people of Vietnam and can’t fathom why members of Congress should be opposed.
Patrick,
What about Vietnam’s appalling human rights record? If you are in doubt, just log on the website of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and have a look at the report and commentary by the HRC to Vietnam’s latest report on implementation of the Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (2001 and 10 years overdue). To me, using entry to the WTO as a tool to pressure them to improve their human rights record is legitimate (might not make sense to a disciple of Ricardo, but money has no morality as we know). How does that sound like a reason?
I look forward looking at a long list of reading suggestions from you. As far as I am concerned, I tend to do my homework, but some readers might benefit from that.
Cesare,
How would you justify keeping Vietnam out, when China, Cuba, Saudi Arabia and others with awful human records are in?
I do not. We made a mistake in the first place to let them in. But it is never too late. We can start with Vietnam, Russia and Iran. I am sure that will not be the case. Brute economics and money is the only thing that is kept in consideration in the WTO (and yes, I am absolutely familiar with the economics, rationale etc. of it all and why many think it is better that way). But the WTO is the only effective carrot we have, the only global club everyone wants to join (at the regional level the correspondent is the EU and I reason the same way with the Balkans, Ukraine and east of that)). Let’s use that leverage! Let’s not turn it into another UN (what happened to the requirement that members shoudl respect the Charter principles?)
I don’t know, I think bringing them into the world community and world economy is the best bet. Let them see how the other half lives. That’s the best way to turn them around. Backing them into a corner is likely to backfire, in my view.
Cesare,
I will respond a bit later as I’m trying to finish something for tomorrow (yes, yet another reading list, this one for ‘comparative law’). I’m no expert here and my love of all (or at least most) things Vietnamese no doubt clouds my judgment, but I’ll weigh in tomorrow afternoon.
All good wishes,
Patrick
Doi Moi Persists
This from Opinio Juris: The Working Party on the accession of Vietnam to the WTO completed its discussions today in Geneva and decided to approve Vietnam’s application to join. Final approval by the WTO General Council should occur before the end of the year and Vietnam would become the 150th member of the WTO, leaving only Russia, Ukraine, and Iran as the major economies still outside the WTO system. Vietnam had to swallow some fairly major concessions to join, but as this NYT article suggests, world trade is benefiting Vietnam in fairly dramatic ways. So this is probably worth it,
Not sure if anywhere is the next China, but if there is a next China, I am pretty sure it is Vietnam.