Since joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2001, China has rewritten the rules of global trade. When the United States and European nations welcomed Beijing into the WTO, they hoped that integration into global markets would open China politically and economically. Instead, China leveraged the WTO to grow its economy, tighten state control, and gain influence in international trade, reshaping global markets in the process.
Why China Joined the WTO and What It Gained
China spent 15 years negotiating its entry into the WTO, becoming the 143rd member in December 2001. At the time, it still called itself a developing country, which allowed for special benefits such as extra time to meet trade rules and lighter obligations in certain sectors. China sought better access to foreign markets, easier paths for exports, and increased foreign investment. For the United States and its allies, supporting China’s entry seemed like a path toward political reform and more open
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