WTO

Germany has been a WTO member since January 1st, 1995. It has also formally been a member of GATT since October 1st, 1951. Germany’s membership is under the European Union. WTO has allowed Germany free trade with other countries on a  fair, predictable, and evenly negotiated level. The EU has been a big component in pushing for trade from small developing countries and countries outside the organization. Germany ranked number 3 in exports according to The Atlas of Economic Complexity, It is understandable that Germany would want all the benefits of free trade. In 2017, 46.5 percent of German merchandise exports and 51.6 percent of imported goods were intermediate products according to the World Trade Organisation (WTO). Attached to this is trade among similar products which gives German consumers the benefit of a variety (BDI). Germany a large exporter of motor vehicles could trade motor vehicles with the US and vice versa leaving Germans with options between us and German Motor Vehicles to choose from depending on their needs and budget.

Although part of the purpose of the WTO is to give equal power to developing countries many have argued that the US and the EU, Germany being apart of the EU, have too much power and control over the WTO alongside their negotiations. This means they are crushing the voices of developing countries.The US and EU also have cut-out developing countries and many trade negotiations outside of the WTO one being the transatlantic trade and investment partnership. Actions such as these exclude and and undermine the purpose of the WTO.