Has the GATT/WTO framework has been succesful in moving the world towards free trade?

Question

Has the GATT/WTO framework has been succesful in moving the world towards free trade?

Answer 1

GATT/WTO has decreased the cost of commodities traded between member countries.

Answer 2

Free trade may never be truly realized, but the GATT/WTO framework has been successful in moving the world in the direction of free trade by applying multi-laterally approved trade conditions.  The conditions ultimately limit government imposed trade restrictions.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_trade

Answer 3

In some areas yes.  But not in others.  One big problem is the subsidies paid to western farming.  This in itself is not a problem, as the subsidies are there to keep the farming industries going, but the problem arises when the products are sold on the world market.  Third world producers just can not compete.

This then has knock on effects, and example being in farmers growing illegal crops.  Give a farmer in Afghanistan or Columbia a choice and they would rather grow legitimate crops, but as they can not sell them for a decent price, thanks to the western subsidies, they instead grow crops for drug lords instead.

So yes, it has moved the world towards free trade, but only in some areas.