MOORE: "WTO IS NOT A SUPRANATIONAL GOVERNMENT"

MOORE: “WTO IS NOT A SUPRANATIONAL GOVERNMENT”

   Mike Moore, director-general of the World Trade Organization, has defended the record of the trade organization and rejected criticism that it is undemocratic.
   "The WTO is not a world government, a global policeman, or an agent for corporate interests," Moore said. "It has no authority to tell countries what trade policies – or any other policies – they should adopt. It does not overrule national laws."
   Moore said that WTO decisions are made by member states, agreements are ratified by parliaments and every two years ministers meet to supervise its work.
   Speaking in the wake of demonstrations in Seattle against the trade body, Moore said that dismantling trade barriers would increase world economic output by 3 percent and would benefit the poorest nations the most.
  The WTO is an international organization that "mediates trade disputes, seeks to reduce barriers between countries, and embodies the agreements," Moore said.
   Moore quoted President Bill Clinton as saying that "globalization is not a policy choice, it’s a fact."
   "Consider this," Moore added. "Exports have accounted for more than a quarter of U.S. economic growth in the United States in the past six years. And almost 20 million new jobs."
   Moore said that trade is not the answer to all the problems, but it provides part of the solution.