Summary

The World Trade Organization (WTO) is a multilateral organization that serves as a forum for international trade negotiations and oversees the administration of the Uruguay Round Agreements. This testimony provides an overview of the issues to be raised at the upcoming Singapore ministerial meeting. GAO also discusses the status of (1) general implementation issues, (2) issues related to WTO agreement on textiles and clothing, (3) implementation of the agriculture agreements, (4) ongoing negotiations involving trade in services and market access, (5) new issues that may be taken up by the WTO in Singapore, and (5) new member accessions to the WTO.