In a brief essay, explain the roles of the World Trade Organization and the United Nations in international trade.
Answer: The World Trade Organization (WTO) replaced GATT in 1995 as a continuing means of trade negotiations that aspires to foster the principle of trade without discrimination and to provide a better means of mediating trade disputes and of enforcing agreements. The United Nations is composed of representatives of most of the countries in the world and influences international trade and development in a number of significant ways. The UN family of organizations is too large to list, but it includes the WTO, the International Monetary Fund, and the World Bank. If the UN performs its responsibilities, it should improve the environment in which MNEs operate around the world, reducing risk and providing greater opportunities.