The World Trade Organization
In: Global organizations
Based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Trade Organization is the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, which was founded following the Second World War. Established in January 1995, the WTO aims to improve the welfare of the people of its member states by lowering trade barriers and providing a platform for negotiation of trade. Specifically, it sets rules for trade on a global level to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible. With 151 member nations and 32 observers, the WTO serves as a multilateral negotiating forum to set trade rules and