International Organizations

The global trade decline in the 1940s had some negative impacts. The living standards of people fell, and unemployment became a chronic issue. Due to this, there was a need to create international organizations to oversee economic relationships among countries.

As a result of the July 1944 conference, two main multinational organizations emerged: The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Later, the International Trade Organization was formed to handle the trade side of the international economic organization.

International Monetary Fund

The IMF lends foreign currencies to its members to aid them during periods of crisis or periods of important external deficits. The many currencies contributed by members enable this operation to be a success. As a result, the IMF’s main role is to ensure the stability of the international monetary system. Other objectives include:

• To promote exchange stability.
• To establish a multilateral system of payments.
• To ensure confidentiality among members.
• To enable the expansion and balanced growth of international trade.

The World Trade Organization

The World Trade Organization is unique because it’s the only organization that regulates cross-border trade relationships across the globe. Consequently, it replaced the general agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) of January 1995. However, the GATT still exists in the form of its 1994 version. Its functions include:

• Administrate, implement and operate individuals’ agreements, solve disputes, and act as a platform for negotiations.
• Ensure transparency of trade policies by supervising global policy settings.
• Provide training and cooperation to low-income, least-developed countries. As a result, this helps them adjust to the rules of the WTO.
• Act as a source of economic analysis and research.

World Bank Group

World Bank Group’s main objective is to enhance a good environment for normal economic growth and help developing countries curb poverty. Other objectives include:

• To provide funds for projects in developing countries.
• To ensure the capabilities of its partners in developing low-income countries.
• To help create economic infrastructures to set up domestic financial markets.

Question

Among these trade organizations, which one regulates cross-border trade relationships across the globe?

1. World Bank Group.
2. World Trade Organization.
3. International Monetary Fund.

Solution

The correct answer is B.

The World Trade Organization is the only organization that is in charge of cross-border trade.