The Conflict

The World Trade Organization (WTO) had drawn criticism and protest, mainly on four basic principles: 1) protection of domestic industries; 2) use of trade restrictions to achieve social goals; 3) protection of national sovereignty; and 4) general political or ideological opposition to the structure of market-determined trade. The protest was sufficient in Seattle in 1999 that the WTO meeting there was adjourned without accomplishing its main goal, which had been to start a new round of trade negotiations.

Economic

• Although markets opened by the WTO should make the economies of member nations better, the benefit may not affect everyone equally. Efficient world trade may reduce the demand for workers in a given domestic industry, causing layoffs and shutdowns. Out of work laborers may be unable to find new employment, contributing to what is called the...