Geopolitics Quarterly

Geopolitics Quarterly

ASEAN Countries Position as a Third Party in WTO Dispute Settlement Mechanism

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Najeehah Hana Nasiruddin 1
Kamalin Mastura Mohd Kamil 2
Nur Arisha Dayana Akmal 2
Rabiatul Adawiyah Hanaffy 2
Rasyikah Md Khalid 1
Suhaizad Saifuddin 2
Ryaim Hussain Al-Kaabi 3
1 Faculty of Law, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia
2 Faculty of Law, University Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia.
3 Al- Mustaqbal University, Iraq
10.22034/igq.2024.475658.1945
Abstract
ASEAN's active participation as a third party in the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Mechanism (DSM) preserves its economic interests while strengthening regional cohesion and cooperation. However, challenges such as limited resources, diverse national interests, and lack of legal competence remain. This paper examines the benefit and challenges of ASEAN’s participation as third parties in the WTO through qualitative document analysis and critical case studies. It underscores the need for third-party involvement in enhancing WTO DSM, boosting transparency, and contemplating broader global trade effects. The study proposes capacity-building efforts, improved intra-ASEAN cooperation, and partnerships with other WTO members and international organizations. As ASEAN's economic integration and global trade, activity grows, so will its role in the WTO DSM, underlining the importance of strategic and collaborative engagement in international trade law and policy.
 
Keywords
ASEAN
WTO
Dispute Settlement Mechanism
Economy
Trade

Subjects

  1. Abd Aziz, A.J; Baharuddin, N.A; Khalid, R.M; Kamarudin, S.K. (2024). Review of the policies and development programs for renewable energy in Malaysia: Progress, achievements and challenges. Energy Exploration and Exploitation, 42(4), pp. 1472–1501. https://doi-org.eresourcesptsl.ukm.remotexs.co/10.1177/
  2. Abdul Muein Abadi, (2015). Between Asean Demos and Asean Kratos: The Genesis of Asean Public Spheres, Jebat: Malaysian Journal of History, Politics & Strategic Studies, 42 (2), pp. 1-22.
  3. Abdullah, M.F; Moh Noor, A; Chee Seng, T; Wan Ibrahim, W.K. (2024). The Water War between Kedah- Penang in Malaysia: The Relation in the Management of Sungai Muda Raw Water, 1965–1985. Geopolitics Quarterly, 20:2, 151-170.
  4. Adil Kashef Al-Ghetaa, A; Soo, B.P; Cheng, J.H. (2023). A Jurisprudential Perspective of Self-Defence. Geopolitics Quarterly, 19 (Special Issue), 59-78.
  5. Ahmadian, H; Mohseni, S. (2023). Geopolitical Feasibility of the Second Wave of Arab Revolutions in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Geopolitics Quarterly, 19(72), 67-92. Doi: 10.22034/igq.2023.144304.
  6. Althabhawi, N.M; Wei Zhe, C; Zainal Abidin, N.S.B; Al Imari, M.H.O. (2023). Personal Media Restrictions on Freedom of Speech: A Social Contract Theory Behind It. Geopolitics Quarterly, 19 (Special Issue), 119-144.
  7. Azmi, R; Azmy, A.S; Mohd Zahir, M.Z; Al-Dulaimi, A.H.A. (2023). Veto Power: A Legal Debate in the United Nations Security Council. Geopolitics Quarterly, 19 (Special Issue), 37-58.
  8. Dazulhisham, R.S.S.B; Jelani, N.R.B; Kamaruddin, H; Mohammed Al -Karaawi, N.J. (2023). Balancing Free Market Value and Social Justice in Employment Contract. Geopolitics Quarterly, 19 (Special Issue), 100-118.
  9. Elhami, A.H; Kazem, M. (2020). Formation and Evolution of Regional Organizations: Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) (A Case Study). Geopolitics Quarterly, 15(56), 25–51.
  10. Gao, H. (2019). Dispute settlement provisions in ASEAN’s external economic agreements with China, Japan, and Korea. (2019). ASEAN law in the new regional economic order: Global trends and shifting paradigms. 64-82.
  11. Hassan, M.S.; Hed, N.M.; Kamilan, I.H. (2022). Parliamentary reforms and Sustainable Development Goals (SDG): the way forward for an inclusive and sustainable parliament. The Journal of Legislative Studies, 28(4), 578-605.
  12. Jamaluddin, F; Saibani, N; Mohd Pisal, S.M; Sajuri, Z; Khalid, R.M. (2022). End-of-Life Vehicle Management Systems in Major Automotive Production Bases in Southeast Asia: A Review. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14 (21) 14317.
  13. Khalid, R.M.; Kadhim, S.A.; Dahalan, W.S.A.W. (2020). Revisiting the human right to water in contemporary international law. UUM Journal of Legal Studies, 11(1), 37-49.
  14. Khani, M.H. (2018). Geopolitics of Regionalism; Moving towards Regional Integration as a Means for Lasting Peace and Stability in the Middle East. Geopolitics Quarterly, 13(48), 280-293.
  15. Koesnaidi, J.W; Shalmont, J; Fransisca, Y; Sahari, P. (2014). For a more effective and competitive ASEAN dispute settlement mechanism. SECO/WTI Academic Cooperation Project Working Paper Series, 6.
  16. Kucik, J; Peritz, L (2021). How Do Third Parties Affect Compliance in the Trade Regime? The Journal of Politics. Vol 83(3) pp. 1184–1189.
  17. Lakshmy Naidu; Mohd Ikbal Mohd Huda; Ravichandran Moorthy, (2024) Trade competitiveness and sustainability policies of Malaysian Palm Oil in the European Union: strategic responses by stakeholders’ agencies. Jebat: Malaysian Journal of History, Politics and Strategic Studies, 51 (1). pp. 21-36. ISSN 2180-0251.
  18. Leong, A.P.B. (1998). Cheshire, Fifoot, and Furmston’s law of contract. Students’ edition.Butterworths Asia.
  19. Habib Alam, (2019). Harmonizing trade laws in South Asia: a future thought. Jurnal Undang-Undang dan Masyarakat, Vol. 25. pp. 47-52.
  20. Mokhtari Hashi, H. (2020). Interstate Rivalries within Regional Organizations Case study: Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO). Geopolitics Quarterly, 16(60), 334-350.
  21. Oshikawa, M. (2013). WTO-ASEAN asymmetries: Calling for greater collaboration. The Future of the World Trading System: Asian Perspectives, 163.
  22. Parveez, G.K.A; Tohiran, K; Chew, F.T; Ong, S.E. (2020). The Impact of EU Regulation on Palm Oil and Malaysia’s Response. Journal of Oil Palm Research, 32(1), 127-142.
  23. Petri, P.A; Plummer, M.G. (2020). East Asia Decouples from the United States: Trade War, COVID-19, and East Asia’s New Trade Blocs. Peterson Institute for International Economics.
  24. Rahman, S.A; Khalid, R.M. (2013). Water resource management in Malaysia: Legal issues and challenges. International Journal of Sustainable Development and Planning, 2009, 4(3), pp. 258–264.
  25. Rozlinda Mohamed Fadzil; Haniff Ahamat; Rasyikah Md. Khalid. (2020). Waters transfer laws and its discrepancies, a brief overview in some neighbouring countries, including discussion on Malaysia-Singapore. Jurnal Undang-Undang dan Masyarakat, 27. pp. 92-108.
  26. Sadeghlou, S; Hafeznia, M; Safavi, S.Y; Roumina, E. (2019). Role of Regional Integration in MERCOSUR Regional Peace and Development an Approach to Human-Centered Geopolitics. Geopolitics Quarterly, 15(56), 1–24.
  27. Thomas Daniel, ‘East Asian Summit matters to Asean’, (2020). Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS) Malaysia.
  28. Tobing, Fredy B.L; Ferga Aristama (2023). “ASEAN’s Role and Future Economic Cooperation under the US-China Rivalry: The Quest for Effective Democratic Leadership.” SINERGI: Journal of Strategic Studies & International Affairs, vol. 3, no. 2, 31 Dec. 2023, pp. 27–45, sinergiukm.my/jou/index.php/ sei/article/view/72, https://doi.org/10.17576/sinergi.0302.2023.03.
  29. United States — Import Prohibition of Certain Shrimp and Shrimp Products. World Trade Organization. (DS58) https://www.wto.org/english/ tratop _e/ dispu _e/cases_e/ds58_e.htm.
  30. World Trade Organization. (2005). *The role of third parties in the WTO dispute settlement mechanism* (ERSD-2005-02). Retrieved from [https:// wto. org/english/res_e/reser_e/ersd200502_e.htm].
  31. World Trade Organization. (n.d.). Retrieved from [https://www.wto.org].

Yvette Foo. Reflecting on ASEAN Members’ Disputes at the World Trade Organisation Part 4: The Impact of the WTO on ASEAN’s Dispute Settlement Mechanisms. Centre          for International Law. https://cil.nus.edu.sg/blogs/reflecting-on-asean-members-disputes-at-the-world-tra de-organisation-part-4-the-impact-of-the-wto-on-aseans-dispute-settlement-mecha nisms-by-yvette-foo/.

Geopolitics Quarterly
Volume 20, Special Issue
Autumn 2024
Pages 210-230

  • Receive Date 18 September 2024
  • Revise Date 02 November 2024
  • Accept Date 02 December 2024