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The article provides an overview of the international trade topics being discussed at the World Trade Organization. In reviewing the background of the liberalization process from the Brazilian point of view, the author emphasizes the need for greater domestic awareness of the emerging issues and new directions which are to be discussed at the Singapore Conference. Occupying a central position within this context is the question of multilateralism versus regionalism and its consequences. The author describes other controversial themes debated in the forums, including the social clause, investment, competition policies and the environmental issue. (Polit Externa/DÜI)

The first biannual Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization took place in Singapore at the end of 1996. The meeting was the focus of widespread expectation, because a lack of success might have damaged the credibility of this new international body. However, the Ministerial Declaration issued at the end of the meeting gave clear signs that the WTO had consolidated its position as an important forum for issues related to the multilateral system of trade. From the Brazilian perspective the results were satisfactory. Brazil's interests were largely safeguarded in issues such as the social clause and the formation of regional blocks and investments, although less so in the discussion of the built-in agricultural agenda. (Polit Externa/DÜI)

This paper examines the new trends in commercial relations among countries involved in the global trade market, taking into account new determining factors such as China's probable admission into the WTO and the growing participation of some Asian countries in the global trade. It is also emphasized that, despite its economic stability, Brazil has been losing ground to other emerging economies because of the lack of qualified staff to conduct its internal transition into a more realistic and updated view of global trade, and also due to its domestic commercial deficit and a restrictive policy. (Polit Externa/DÜI)