Transcript Competition Policy and the Global Trading Regime

Competition Policy and the
Global Trading Regime
Erlinda M. Medalla
April 27-28, 2006
Hanoi
Why competition policy in the context
of international trading regime?
 The primary consideration should be
national objectives, but it is crucial to also
consider multilateral and regional
perspectives.
 Considering developments in other
countries gives a wider perspective of the
issues and helps governments decide on
the most appropriate policies.
Why competition policy in the context
of international trading regime?
 National and regional efforts to
enhance competition can be mutually
reinforcing and provide a further force
to counter the interests of vested
groups.
 There are trans-boundary anticompetitive acts.
Competition policy and
international trade
 Lack of domestic competition policy
regulatory framework could affect
market access, especially against
foreign products
 Hence, competition policy as one of
Singapore issues
Competition policy and
international trade
 There are cases where anticompetitive acts cross borders.
 Example: International shipping lines
suspected to set up international cartels
and allocate capacity
 Need to address such cases at
regional/ global level.
 Need for cooperative approach
 Possibly push the issue to be addressed
at WTO
Developments in WTO
 Competition policy issue has been dropped
in the July package of the WTO
 Proposals for competition policy
agreements do not explicitly link
competition policy with market access
concerns; rather they aim to ensure that all
countries have national legislation in place
to deal with anticompetitive practices.
 Cooperation between member states on
competition policy are voluntary.
 Agreement more towards commitment to
competitive markets.