The World Trade Organization (WTO) was established in January 1995 as the successor to the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Since then, the organization has played a crucial role in promoting free trade and resolving disputes between member countries. But who exactly signed the WTO agreement? Let`s take a look.

The WTO agreement was signed by representatives of 123 countries on April 15, 1994, in Marrakesh, Morocco. These countries included both developed and developing nations, such as the United States, Canada, Japan, the European Union, China, India, Brazil, and many others.

The agreement was the result of seven years of negotiations that began in 1986, following the conclusion of the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations. The goal of the Uruguay Round was to liberalize trade in goods and services, as well as to strengthen the multilateral trading system. One of the key outcomes of the round was the establishment of the WTO.

The WTO agreement covers a wide range of trade-related issues, including tariff reductions, non-tariff barriers, intellectual property rights, services, and dispute settlement. It is designed to promote open, transparent, and predictable trade relations among member countries.

Since its establishment, the WTO has played a vital role in facilitating global trade. Its membership has grown to 164 countries, representing over 98% of global trade. The organization has also helped to resolve numerous trade disputes among its members, including high-profile cases involving the United States, China, and the European Union.

In conclusion, the WTO agreement was signed by representatives of 123 countries in 1994 in Marrakesh, Morocco. The agreement was the result of seven years of negotiations following the conclusion of the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations. Since then, the WTO has played a crucial role in promoting global trade and resolving disputes among its members.