The Multilateral Trading System: Mid-Flight Turbulence or Systems Failure?

(DDA), it is intended to enhance the development relevance of the WTO. Expectations for its successful conclusion remain mixed. The failure of the WTO Ministerial in Cancun, Mexico, in September 2003 underscored the difficulties faced by negotiators. The August 1, 2004, WTO General Council decisions, by contrast, were hailed by many as an important achievement that helped put the DDA back on track after the “detour ” in Cancun. The agreed negotiation frameworks—particularly on agriculture—were an important step in the right direction. As the limited progress achieved since then suggests, however, negotiators still face major challenges in bringing this round to a successful conclusion.1 This cyclical pattern of good and bad news on the multilateral trade system (as exemplified by the “downs ” in Seattle (1999) and Cancun (2003) and the “ups ” in Doha (2001) and Geneva (2004)) has motivated an ongoing debate about its health.2 2005 will be a critical year for the DDA. Many expect the Hong Kong Ministerial (December 13–18, 2005) to be a harbinger of the fate of the “development ” round. Moreover, the outcome of the Doha Development Agenda—a first for the WTO