How Large or Small is the Policy Space? WTO Regime and Industrial Policy

Abstract

The paper identifies the need for improvements in policy space for developing and least developed countries under the current world trading system by examining the use of WTO dispute settlement system with descriptive statistics and case studies. The paper shows an asymmetry in the utilization of the dispute settlement system and the consequence of using the system between developed and developing countries. For instance, the paper demonstrates that the United States and some other developed countries use WTO rules effectively, resulting in the defeat of developing countries in disputes. These developing countries are forced to abandon their industrial policy measures. By contrast, the United States and the other developed countries continue to use WTO-inconsistent industrial policies in need without being much effectively challenged. Based on our findings, we suggest what should be done within the practices of the current rules, what can be done to change the current global rules, and what developing countries can still try under the current rules.