On eliminating non-tariff barriers in a time of worldwide economic crisis : China's role

The global economic crisis has caused even champions of free trade such as the US to impose barriers to the entry of foreign goods and services. This obviously causes great harm to the world trade organisation (WTO) system and the benefits it holds out. This paper highlights the limits to combating non-tariff barriers (NTB) practices under the WTO system, and the changes to china's recent trade policies and strategy relating to NTB practices which are generally supportive of the multilateral trading system. While China's intervention has been prompted no doubt by her own self interest, it nevertheless highlights the need for a champion(s) at all times to keep the hopes of the WTO system alive.