Alan Beattie explains The truth behind the top five trade myths and why it matters (Financial Times, July 1)
Myth number three:
3. "The World Trade Organisation is undemocratic and secretive."
Yeah, right. The WTO is so democratic it can hardly move. It has 149 member governments, any one of which can block a deal. Imagine the British House of Commons or the Japanese Diet or the US House of Representatives if every member had a veto over every bill.
As for secrecy, the negotiating papers for this weekend's talks, with some blunt commentary from the authors who are chairing the discussions, are right here. And while you are reading this I will be sitting in a press room in Geneva knee-deep in trade ministers sounding off to the world's media. It is about as secretive as the World Cup final.
I learned about this from the New Economist . Title revision July 3.
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