Michael
Jun 24th 2010, 12:54 PM
Why WTO membership for Iran makes sense
The Congressional Sanctions Agreement making its way through both houses of Congress this week will do little to change the behavior of the Iranian regime. There is, however, a better way to promote lasting and permanent political change in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States should strongly encourage and actively negotiate the accession of Iran to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
For years, the U.S. has tirelessly promoted the notion that trade liberalization reforms support greater market freedoms, which in turn pave the way for enhanced political liberalization. Indeed, it was precisely this reasoning that led America to support the WTO applications of China, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, three countries with troubling human rights records.
That same argument applies as much, if not more, to Iran. WTO accession can be a catalyst for the liberalization of Iran's economy. WTO reforms would require Iran to broaden and deepen the integration of its economy with the world trading system. It would demand true non-discriminatory treatment through adherence to the most-favored nation (MFN) and national treatment obligations of GATT Articles I and III, and their re-incarnations in other WTO Agreements, plus reductions in tariff and non-tariff barriers. It would necessitate privatization of state-owned and state trading enterprises (SOEs and STEs), which would lead to increased openness to foreign direct investment. And it would impel greater respect for intellectual property rights, specifically patents, trademarks, copyrights, and semi-conductor mask works, pursuant to the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs).
Source: FP Article (http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/06/23/iran_and_the_wto)
Indeed. I doubt if there is any single policy initiative out there that can clearly show the hollowness of US policy on Iran. The US government will oppose this and that tells you everything you need to know about US policy and Iran. There is no desire for engagement, reform, negotiation, comprimise. There is only a US desire for sanctions and warmongering. Inviting Iran to join the WTO works in the opposite direction and that would be completely unacceptable to the Washington warhawks.
The US needs enemies. If there are no real ones, fake ones will be manufactured. That's what this WTO thing will be all about - it essentially calls the US government bluff and show that the US isn't interested in any policy on Iran except one that fosters rising tensions and/or increases the probability of war.
This is likely the last you will hear of this policy initiative because of this. There just is no 'market' in the US for a rational policy regarding Iran.
The Congressional Sanctions Agreement making its way through both houses of Congress this week will do little to change the behavior of the Iranian regime. There is, however, a better way to promote lasting and permanent political change in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States should strongly encourage and actively negotiate the accession of Iran to the World Trade Organization (WTO).
For years, the U.S. has tirelessly promoted the notion that trade liberalization reforms support greater market freedoms, which in turn pave the way for enhanced political liberalization. Indeed, it was precisely this reasoning that led America to support the WTO applications of China, Saudi Arabia, and Vietnam, three countries with troubling human rights records.
That same argument applies as much, if not more, to Iran. WTO accession can be a catalyst for the liberalization of Iran's economy. WTO reforms would require Iran to broaden and deepen the integration of its economy with the world trading system. It would demand true non-discriminatory treatment through adherence to the most-favored nation (MFN) and national treatment obligations of GATT Articles I and III, and their re-incarnations in other WTO Agreements, plus reductions in tariff and non-tariff barriers. It would necessitate privatization of state-owned and state trading enterprises (SOEs and STEs), which would lead to increased openness to foreign direct investment. And it would impel greater respect for intellectual property rights, specifically patents, trademarks, copyrights, and semi-conductor mask works, pursuant to the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs).
Source: FP Article (http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/06/23/iran_and_the_wto)
Indeed. I doubt if there is any single policy initiative out there that can clearly show the hollowness of US policy on Iran. The US government will oppose this and that tells you everything you need to know about US policy and Iran. There is no desire for engagement, reform, negotiation, comprimise. There is only a US desire for sanctions and warmongering. Inviting Iran to join the WTO works in the opposite direction and that would be completely unacceptable to the Washington warhawks.
The US needs enemies. If there are no real ones, fake ones will be manufactured. That's what this WTO thing will be all about - it essentially calls the US government bluff and show that the US isn't interested in any policy on Iran except one that fosters rising tensions and/or increases the probability of war.
This is likely the last you will hear of this policy initiative because of this. There just is no 'market' in the US for a rational policy regarding Iran.