Think about your home country.

Does your country have any trade or free trade

Vietnam has several trade and free trade agreements with other countries. One of the
most significant agreements is the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), which originated
in 1992 with the aim of promoting economic integration among Southeast Asian
nations. Vietnam is a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
(ASEAN) and benefits from the tariff reductions and trade facilitation measures under
this agreement. These agreements provide Vietnamese businesses with enhanced
market access and opportunities for trade with partner countries, contributing to
economic growth and diversification.
From the individual points of view with which the group agrees and disagrees comes
the above article on AFTA.
Agree:
- In favor of export growth: With the advantages of close geographical distance;
similarity in lifestyle, culture and activities,... ASEAN is a large and potential
market for Vietnam's exports.
- Vietnam is in a good position to compete as economic integration continues to
deepen: The signing of many FTAs contributes to creating favorable conditions
for Vietnam to participate in learning and grasping common trends in the
world. The evidence is that with 15 FTAs in effect, it has brought Vietnam from
a trade deficit economy to balance the trade balance and has a surplus and
continuous trade surplus.
- Possibility to reduce tariffs for other countries while keeping preferential
treatment for members: Tax cuts for AFTA partner countries while promoting
an increase in the value of Vietnam's imports from those partner countries, but
still receive certain preferences.
- Showcasing Vietnam's continuous economic development over the past
decades: thanks to the improvement of trade policies focusing on free trade
agreements and the ability of intra-ASEAN countries to support, learn from,
and promote the benefits of promoting the country's economy to develop.
Disagree:
- “Signing FTAs with different liberalization routes also leads to difficulties
because the management of a fragmented trade, trade and investment flows
may be shifted and not effective. .” Because institutionally, the time to
implement and enforce commitments in FTAs usually lasts 10 years. With new
generation FTAs, Vietnam will have to fulfill its commitments in only 5-7
years; in which, many provisions will have to be implemented immediately
after the agreement takes effect, many agreements will have to be implemented
after 2-3 years. And so, for some weak sectors of Vietnam such as: Transport,
IPR, human resource training, skilled technical workers... it will be difficult to
meet practical requirements when analyzing investment flows from abroad
with strong capital inflows into the country, high competition will put pressure
on businesses; Many traditional products of Vietnam have not been registered
under the International Intellectual Property Law, leading to the risk of brand
loss, weak competition in foreign markets, etc.
- “The recent expansion of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA) with China and
South Korea will ultimately be beneficial if commitments are fully fulfilled,
while agreements with India and Australia bring little benefit.” However, it is
important to consider that conflicts arising from political issues, such as
disputes in the East Sea, may hinder the complete implementation of these
commitments, leading to negative impacts. On the other hand, agreements with
India and Australia are expected to yield minimal benefits.
State your stance on the trade agreement:
Free trade agreements can have an impact on a country's economy in both
positive and negative ways. Proponents argue that such endorsements will
boost trade, foreign investment, job creation, and overall economic growth.
They can also promote international cooperation and strengthen bilateral
diplomatic relations. Critics, on the other hand, are concerned about potential
negative consequences such as increased competition for domestic industries,
job losses in certain sectors, and the possibility of unrest. equality. To ensure an
appropriate approach, policymakers must carefully assess the potential benefits
and drawbacks of trade agreements and take measures to mitigate any negative
effects. The near-equilibrium state is beneficial to the entire country.
Go to the WTO homepage. Explore the WTO’s function, their recent dispute
settlement cases, and news articles written about the agency. Pick one you find
interesting and prepare a five-minute presentation to give to the class.

- What is the WTO? The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the only global
international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. At its
heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the
world’s trading nations and ratified in their parliaments. The goal is to help
producers of goods and services, exporters, and importers conduct their
business.
- Function of the WTO:
Trade negotiations: List the rules and regulations for liberalization. includes
commitments made by each country to open and preserve markets for services
and to lower taxes and other trade barriers. enact processes for resolving
disputes.
Implementation and monitoring: WTO agreements require governments to
make their trade policies transparent by notifying the WTO about laws in force
and measures adopted. The WTO conducts regular reviews of member
countries' trade policies and practices to ensure transparency and compliance
with WTO rules.
Dispute settlement: One of the essential functions of the WTO is its dispute
settlement mechanism. Countries bring disputes to the WTO if they think their
rights under the agreements are being infringed. The aim is to settle disputes
based on existing trade agreements and prevent trade wars or unilateral
retaliatory actions.
Building trade capacity: WTO agreements contain special provision for
developing countries, including longer time periods to implement agreements
and commitments, measures to increase their trading opportunities, and support
to help them build their trade capacity, to handle disputes and to implement
technical standards.
Outreach: The WTO maintains regular dialogue with non-governmental
organizations, parliamentarians, other international organizations, the media
and the general public on various aspects of the WTO and the ongoing Doha
negotiations, with the aim of enhancing cooperation and increasing awareness
of WTO activities.
 - Article:
https://www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/dispu_e/cases_e/ds617_e.htm
+ Short title: US — AD measure on OCTG (Argentina)
+ Complainant:Argentina
+ Respondent: United States
+ Agreements cited (as cited in request for consultation): Dispute Settlement
Understanding (DSU) Anti-dumping GATT 1994
+ Consultations requested: 17 May 2023
+ Contents of the article: The Argentine Delegation sent a text to the Dispute
Settlement Body on May 17, 2023. Because Argentina was concerned that the
anti-dumping measure against OCTG from Argentina, as well as Section
771(7)(G) of the Act the United States customs law of 1930, does not appear to
be consistent with the relevant obligations of the United States under the
Agreement. AD and GATT 1994.
The US measures appear to nullify or reduce the benefits accrued directly or
indirectly to Argentina under the agreements invoked.
Argentina reserves the right to bring up additional factual and legal issues, and
to resolve additional remedies and claims relating to the foregoing, during
consultations and in any request. any arbitration. committee establishment.
Argentina looks forward to receiving a response from the United States to this
request and setting a date for consultations to be accepted by the parties.