The correct option is 2 only.
Explanation
The World Trade Organisation (WTO) is the only global international organization dealing with the rules of trade between nations. Established in 1995 as the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), its core objective is to ensure that trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. The primary objective of the WTO is to liberalize international trade by reducing or eliminating trade barriers such as tariffs and quotas. It was not established to ensure that developed countries retain trade barriers; rather, it aims to create a rules-based system where barriers are lowered globally to facilitate free trade.
- Statement 2 is Correct. While the WTO advocates for free trade, there is significant criticism regarding the fairness of its implementation. Developed countries have often retained non-tariff barriers and provided massive subsidies to their agricultural sectors (e.g., in the US and EU), which distorts markets. Meanwhile, developing countries are often pressured to open their markets, leading to an imbalance where trade is not genuinely "fair" despite being "free" in principle.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect. Developing countries, including India, have not completely refused to remove trade barriers. As members of the WTO, they have undertaken significant reforms, including the removal of quantitative restrictions on imports and the reduction of tariff rates, to comply with WTO mandates and integrate into the global economy.
Key Takeaway
Key Takeaway: The WTO aims to promote free trade through the reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers. However, a major critique of the organization is the persistence of unfair trade practices, where developed nations retain protectionist measures (like agricultural subsidies) while developing nations are required to liberalize their economies.