Trade, Law & Development: Facilitating trade and removing barriers: A new epoch for multilateral trade?

Recent years have seen the World Trade Organization's (WTO) legitimacy and accountability come under question from various quarters, in no small part due to the stalemate in negotiations. Is the lack of new trade rules affecting the centrality of the WTO and its relevance in the global trade agenda? Does the model of rulemaking need to be updated to respond to current challenges?

The entry into force of the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA/the Agreement) on February 22, 2017, allays some of these doubts as much as it betokens a reinvigorated WTO. As the first multilateral agreement entered into since the formation of the WTO, it has the capacity to serve as the blueprint of future rulemaking at the organisation.

Trade facilitation is often used to mean the reduction of red-tape in international trade, especially with regards to customs and other trade and border procedures.