he WTO's origins began with trade negotiations after World War II. In 1948, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) focused on reducing tariffs, anti-dumping and non-tariff measures. From 1986 - 1994 the Uruguay Round round of negotiations led to the formal creation of the WTO.
In 1997, the WTO brokered agreements promoting trade in telecommunications services among 69 countries. It also removed tariffs on information technology products between 40 members, and improved trade of banking, insurance, securities and financial information between 70 countries.
The Doha round began in 2000 focusing on improving trade in agriculture and services. It expanded to include development of emerging market countries at the fourth WTO Ministerial Conference in Doha, Qatar, in November 2001. Unfortunately, the Doha talks collapsed in Cancun, Mexico, in 2003. A second attempt also failed in 2008 at Geneva, Switzerland. (Source: WTO, History) Article updated August 14, 2014