Maintaining Free Trade Among Nations

Overview You already know that international trade is important to all nations, even a country as large as the Canada. Most of the products exchanged are goods, although a growing number of services, such as insurance and banking, are also bought and sold. Nations trade for the same reasons that individuals do-- they trade because they believe that the products they receive are worth the products they give up. In addition, because nations are free to trade, they must believe that they are better off with trade than without it.

From GATT - WTO GATT (The general agreement on tariff and trade) was the first international organization aimed at world trade.

From GATT - WTO GATT then became another organization that aids in connecting countries of the world is the World Trade Organization

Video Questions: 1.What is the reason GATT was created. 2. When it was created? 3. What the purpose of the WTO is and how did it come about? From GATT to WTO"

Video Inside the WTO High Speed

WTO WTO Website As a group we will go through the website and complete the Q’s together Arguments against WTO Video – News in Review (Subsidy Battle)

Discussion 1.Suggest the pressure that Canadian officials might experience acting on behalf of Canada at the WTO? 2.What are some major international factors that have affected farmers? 3.What impact have the Canadian Wheat Board and the federal government’s policies had on farming? 4.What is value-adding? Do you think this is an effective solution for the farmers? 5.How do world wide subsidies effect the production of wheat? The Price? What is the Canadian government to do?

Discussion What is your opinion? Is the WTO a necessary organization or can we do with out it?