보호무역조치에 대한 효과적 대응방안의 모색－비관세 무역장벽을 중심으로－

In the G-20 meeting in Seoul last November, major trading partners made efforts to ensure free and fair trade in the global community by initiating discussions and building consensus on a new framework to manage a full spectrum of global trade barriers. In the aftermath of the global economic recession in 2008, many countries have adopted disguised or gray protective measures, and they have now become major sources of global trade frictions. One of the major examples of such protectionism is the issue of non-tariff barriers (NTBs). Many countries are now apparently adopting NTBs, and these barriers cause a wide range of trade disputes. Recent disputes between major trading parterns are related to the NTBs one way or another. Nonetheless, there does not seem to exist reliable guidelines to deal with this issue under the current WTO Agreements. Under these circumstances, it is appropriate and necessary to consider including a new section discussing NTBs specifically in the current WTO Trade Barrier Monitoring Report. The report, which is now annually published, includes only conventional trade barriers and as such does not provide a full spectrum of trade barriers. Therefore, including the NTB section would enhance the scope and effectiveness of the report significantly. In addressing NTB issues in the report, discussion on other international agreements than the WTO Agreements may be necessary as NTBs more frequently involve discussions on other international agreements these days. Also, the purpose of the report should not be to prejudge any violation of the WTO Agreements, but rather to collect information to help initiate meaningful and candid discussions on the NTBs or NTB-alleged measures. If the WTO Trade Barrier Monitoring Report successfully addresses the NTB issue, it will contribute to ensuring free and fair trade in the future. It can provide a framework that can detect and stop the spread of the protectionism with the new commitment to the free and fair trade.