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Bearing in mind the complex context of the relationship between multilateralism and regionalism, the conclusion of plurilateral agreements within the WTO, open to participation of all interested members, offers a multilateral perspective of regionalism, in which the benefits of partial consensus are to be extended to the multilateral sphere. The ITA - Information Technology Agreement - is mentioned as an example of this possibility, and its recent expansion, through the negotiation of the ITA II, demonstrates the strengthening of this multilateralisation trend of regionalism, although with special features. Thus, this article is developed drawing the context and introduction of the theme of regionalism and multilateralism, and presents the theory of multilateralisation of regionalism and the ITA as one of those experiences, and its recent expansion as a resumption of the relevance of this theory. Considering the impasses for the conclusion of the Doha Round, the expansion of these partial consensus and the continuation of negotiations at the World Trade Organization by the conclusion of sectoral plurilateral agreements emerges as a possible way out, which demands a re-architecture of the interpretation of the role of the WTO in the global economic governance.

O presente estudo busca analisar a formulação da política comercial brasileira, de relevância e complexidade crescentes, no caso das demandas brasileiras ao Órgão de Solução de Controvérsias (OSC) da Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC). Examina-se a centralização de tal política no Poder Executivo com foco em seus processos decisórios, a partir do contexto econômico e político pertinente para a seleção das demandas apresentadas a tal mecanismo de solução de controvérsias. Além de se perscrutar o funcionamento da Câmara de Comércio Exterior (Camex) e sua interação com outros órgãos estatais, investiga-se a dinâmica da condução dos contenciosos e de suas repercussões na agenda comercial da OMC. Constata-se que, à margem do desenho institucional focalizado na Camex, a escolha das demandas responde à pauta comercial e ao impacto nas negociações internacionais do país, acompanhando a pauta de exportação e os principais parceiros comerciais do Brasil, no marco da Rodada Doha da OMC. Marcadas por constrangimentos internos e externos, portanto, as estratégias sobre litígios comerciais internacionais demandam transparência e cooperação aperfeiçoadas com o setor privado.This study seeks to analyze Brazil's foreign trade policy, which is of growing importance and complexity, in the particular case of litigation with the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body. Such policy centralization with the Executive Branch is examined with focus on the decision making processes, with grounds on the political and economical context relevant to the selection of disputes to be initiated with the mentioned dispute settlement mechanism. Brazilian Chamber of Foreign Commerce (Camex)'s operations are scrutinized, as well as its interactions with other state bodies, which is followed by an investigation of the dynamics of the disputes' conduction and their repercussion on the WTO's trade agenda. Perceived results are that, despite decisions in respect to the litigation with the WTO's Dispute Settlement Body being centralized with Camex, dispute settlement decisions correspond to the country's trade mix and strategic international negotiation positions, and are closely connected to the Brazilian exports and major trade partners. Shaped by internal and external constraints, therefore, the strategies related to international trade disputes require enhanced transparency and cooperation with the private sector.

Este artigo busca analisar as razões motivadoras da parceria no jogo das negociações comerciais multilaterais. O objetivo é contribuir para a compreensão mais ampla sobre as bases (doméstica e internacional) do processo de constituição de coalizões internacionais, ou parcerias, de tipo Sul-Sul no novo contexto da agenda multilateral. Tal processo tem ocupado papel central na dinâmica das negociações multilaterais e regionais de comércio, particularmente no que tange às perspectivas do reequilíbrio de forças centro-periferia do sistema internacional. A reabertura de uma nova rodada de negociações multilaterais no âmbito da Organização Mundial do Comércio (OMC), com foco justamente nos novos desafios temáticos sobre comércio internacional e caminhos para o desenvolvimento, reintroduz a centralidade do papel das coalizões e alianças de tipo Sul-Sul. Este artigo analisa a convergência e divergência de interesses comerciais entre Brasil, Índia e África do Sul, dentro do quadro de interesses político-estratégicos mais amplos, mostrando que os aspectos meramente comerciais não dão conta de explicar os tipos de alinhamentos produzidos no interior da arena multilateral de comércio.This article seeks to analyze the reasons that stimulate the multilateral trade negotiations. The purpose is going to contribute for the comprehension about the basis (domestic and international) in the constitution of international coalitions, in the new context of the multilateral agenda. The international coalitions constitution trial has occupied central paper in the dynamic one of the multilateral and regional negotiations, in particular in what plays to the perspectives of the balance of forces center-periphery of the international system. The new thematic challenges about international trade and development introduce new studies about the international coalitions and alliances on the South level. This article analyzes the convergence and divergence of commercial interests between Brazil, India and Africa of the South, inside the chart of broader political-strategic interests, showing that the merely commercial aspects do not give to count of explain the kinds of alignments that are produced in the interior of the arena multilateral of commerce.

O presente artigo analisa a tentativade se assegurar padrões trabalhistas atravésdas regras comerciais multilaterais existentesno âmbito da Organização Mundialdo Comércio (OMC). O artigo discorre sobrea origem e a evolução do tema no cenáriointernacional, dando ênfase ao argumentohumanitário. O objetivo fundamental dotrabalho é evidenciar as contradições e insuficiênciasdo argumento humanitário, oqual é freqüentemente invocado por aquelesque advogam a vinculação entre comérciointernacional e padrões trabalhistas.Abstract: This article analyses the attemptof imposing labour standards through theinternational trade policy currentlyheaded by the World Trade Organisation(WTO). The article scrutinizes the originand the evolution of the subject in theinternational arena, focusing on thehuman rights argument. The mainobjective of this paper is to highlight thecontradictions and deficiencies of thehumanitarian argument, which iscommonly used by those who support aformal linkage between internationaltrade and labour standards.