On 1st January 1995, the WTO officially replaced the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) as the global international organization responsible for regulating international trade and resolving trade disputes among its member countries.
Prior to the formation of the WTO, the international trade regime was governed by the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), which was established in 1947. GATT served as the primary framework for regulating international trade but had limitations in addressing contemporary trade issues.
The creation of the WTO has had a profound impact on the global trading system. It has provided a rules-based framework for international trade, reduced trade barriers, and facilitated the growth of global commerce.
However, it has also faced challenges and criticism, particularly regarding issues related to fairness, inequality, and the environment.