Today, ATRs are evolving in a way that goes beyond existing multilateral rules. The areas that cover them – investment, capital and people, competition and state-owned enterprises, e-commerce, anti-corruption and intellectual property rights – are key policy issues that need to be addressed in today`s more interconnected markets. Mega-regional initiatives are of a completely new scale and allow preferential access to Member States` markets by attempting to conclude 21st century trade agreements with deep and comprehensive market integration. The trend towards more liberal multilateral trade would soon slow down at the end of the 19th century, with the world economy experiencing a severe depression in 1873. The depression, which lasted until 1877, served to increase the pressure for greater protection at home and to mitigate any previous dynamics of access to foreign markets. As the WTO seeks to expand GATT`s multilateral trade initiatives, recent trade negotiations appear to be entering a phase of “multilateralization of regionalism.” The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and regional cooperation in Asia and the Pacific (RCEP) account for a significant share of global GDP and world trade, indicating that regionalism could become a broader and multilateral framework. WTO Director-General Roberto Azevédo raised the issue in an article at the East Asia Forum in May 2017. “Support for the multilateral trading system must not come at the expense of an active bilateral and regional negotiating agenda. It`s not a zero-sum game as it is often presented,” he said. Regional Trade Agreements,” World Trade Organization; www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/region_e/region_e.htm 2. Introduction of the ICC Declaration: Trade Recommendations on Rules of Origin in Preferential Trade Agreements, International Chamber of Commerce; iccwbo.org/media-wall/news-speeches/launch-icc-statement-business-recommendations-rules-origin-preferential-trade-agreements/ 3. Wilbur Ross says he is “open to the resumption” of mega-trade-deal talks with Europe, CNBC; www.cnbc.com/2017/05/30/exclusive-wilbur-ross-says-hes-open-to-resuming-ttip-negotiations.html 4. The Trans-Pacific Partnership can succeed without the United States,” Bloomberg View, www.bloomberg.com/view/articles/2017-05-28/the-trans-pacific-partnership-can-succeed-without-the-u-s 5. The RCEP negotiations may miss the December deadline,” said the Hindu; www.thehindu.com/business/Economy/RCEP-negotiations-may-miss-December-deadline/article14587100.ece 6. WTO General Council Adjourns after India Refuses to Discuss Agenda, Nikkei Asian Review; asia.nikkei.com/Politics-Economy/International-Relations/WTO-General-Council-adjourns-after-India-refuses-to-discuss-agenda 7. Australia-Hong Kong Free Trade Agreement, Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; dfat.gov.au/trade/agreements/a-hkfta/pages/default.aspx 8. “Regional Trade Agreements,” World Trade Organization; www.wto.org/english/tratop_e/region_e/region_e.htm 9. A New World Trade Order,” Financial Express; www.financialexpress.com/opinion/a-new-global-trade-order/695488/ 10. Trans-Pacific Partnership, New Zealand Foreign Affairs – Trade; www.tpp.mfat.govt.nz/ 11. Relaunch of the multilateral trading system”East Asia Forum; www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/05/21/reenergising-the-multilateral-trading-system/ 12. Relaunch of the multilateral trading system”East Asia Forum; 13. www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/05/21/reenergising-the-multilateral-trading-system/. Relaunch of the multilateral trading system”East Asia Forum; www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/05/21/reenergising-the-multilateral-trading-system/ 14. Relaunch of the multilateral trading system”East Asia Forum; www.eastasiaforum.org/2017/05/21/reenergising-the-multilateral-trading-system/ 15. Introduction of the ICC Declaration: Trade Recommendations on Rules of Origin in Preferential Trade Agreements, International Chamber of Commerce; iccwbo.org/media-wall/news-speeches/launch-icc-statement-business-recommendations-rules-origin-preferential-tra