ABSTRACT
Buried in the Protocol of Accession is the Transitional Review Mechanism (TRM). The debate that took place over its creation seldom if ever became noticeably public. It was in contemporary parlance a debate that took place “below the radar screen.” Yet significant consequences may well follow as a result of the debate and now the creation of such a multilateral monitoring system found in the Protocol of Accession. The debate and final structure reflect the ambivalence of all sides regarding China’s entry into the WTO. Fundamental questions over constraints to national sovereignty, the inclusion of China in the multilateral trading regime, the level of marketization for member countries and the oversight by member countries with obligations agreed to by entering countries were raised and ultimately resolved. The TRM reveals how current member countries see the organization of the world economy.
