Energy Trade in the World Trading System

Abstract

Abstract

The gravity of energy trade has been increasing with a growing need of energy in every economic activities and every industries. International energy trade has become our norm. Growth and development of international energy trade intensified the need for a regulatory framework and led to inclusion of energy trade into the disciplines and rules of the world trading system. This paper examines energy trade in the multilateral regulatory frameworks within the world trading system and identifies how major multilateral trade agreements such as World Trade Organization agreements, North America Free Trade Agreement, and Energy Charter Treaty addressed energy trade. The three agreements are analyzed to compare what extent have each agreement integrated energy trade into their disciplines and how each organization treat energy trade depending on their organizations agenda, political dynamic, and social and economic factors.