What are three of the most contentious areas of trade negotiations today? Explain why they are contentious, and provide an example for each area. How has the international community responded to these negotiations?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

The ideal answer should include:
1. List three areas of trade negotiations today, such as the agricultural sector, the textiles and garment sector, and intellectual property rights.
2. Explain why they are contentious. For instance, intellectual property rights are the rights of creators of books, films, computer software, and similar products to receive royalties when their products are sold. It is technically easy and cheap to copy such works and sell them in violation of copyright, patent, or trademark laws.
3. Provide an example for each area. For instance, the United States has a major conflict with some states over piracy of computer software, music, films, and other creative works-products in which the United States has a strong comparative advantage globally. Because U.S. laws cannot be enforced in foreign countries, the U.S. government wants foreign governments to prevent and punish such violations. Countries that reportedly pirate large amounts of computer software and music and entertainment products include China, Taiwan, India, Thailand, and Brazil.
4. Discuss how the international community has responded. For example, the international community has developed an IGO with 186 UN member states, the World Intellectual Property Organization, which tries to regularize patent and copyright law across borders.
5. Offer a compelling summary and effective conclusion.