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Implementing the Uruguay Round Agreements: Problems for Developing Countries

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  • J. Michael Finger

Abstract

Unilateral removal of trade restrictions is good economics, but it is often bad domestic politics. GATT negotiations for 50 years provided a mechanism to overcome this political incorrectness. The Uruguay Round carried multilateral negotiations into many ‘new areas’ with more complex economics – areas of regulation that establish the basic business environment in the domestic economy, e.g., technical, sanitary and phytosanitary standards; intellectual property law. Doing these things is costly and you can get it wrong – the economic correctness is not so simple as the economic correctness of removing trade restrictions. Making economic sense in these areas requires cost‐benefit analysis, experimentation, projects tailored to specific problems. Some developing countries would benefit from reforms in the new areas, but the Uruguay Round requirements do not identify the problems that exist in developing countries and they consequently demand establishment of institutions and regulations that will impose higher costs than benefits on the countries that implement them. Implementation issues are development issues, not trade issues. The procedures of the World Bank are suited to taking on such matters, those of the WTO are not.

Suggested Citation

  • J. Michael Finger, 2001. "Implementing the Uruguay Round Agreements: Problems for Developing Countries," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 24(9), pages 1097-1108, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:worlde:v:24:y:2001:i:9:p:1097-1108
    DOI: 10.1111/1467-9701.00402
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    Cited by:

    1. Prema‐Chandra Athukorala & Sisira Jayasuriya, 2003. "Food Safety Issues, Trade and WTO Rules: A Developing Country Perspective," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 26(9), pages 1395-1416, September.
    2. Sánchez-Cano, Julieta Evangelina, 2012. "The public policies of the mexican agricutural sector in the framework of the international economy," eseconomía, Escuela Superior de Economía, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, vol. 0(33), pages 45-77, primer tr.
    3. Hoekman, Bernard, 2002. "Economic Development and the WTO After Doha," CEPR Discussion Papers 3374, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    4. repec:got:cegedp:30 is not listed on IDEAS
    5. Felicitas Nowak-Lehmann D. & Inmaculada Martínez Zarzoso, 2003. "Would MERCOSUR’s Exports to the EU Profit from Trade Liberalisation? Some General Insights and a Simulation Study for Argentina," Ibero America Institute for Econ. Research (IAI) Discussion Papers 092, Ibero-America Institute for Economic Research.
    6. Bernard Hoekman, 2002. "Developing Countries and the Political Economy of the Trading System," WIDER Working Paper Series DP2002-126, World Institute for Development Economic Research (UNU-WIDER).
    7. Hoeckman, Bernard, 2002. "Economic Development and the World Trade Organization after Doha," Policy Research Working Paper Series 2851, The World Bank.
    8. Hoekman, Bernard, 2002. "Strengthening the global trade architecture for development," Policy Research Working Paper Series 2757, The World Bank.
    9. Oskam, A.J. & Komen, M.H.C. & Wobst, P. & Yalew, A., 2004. "Trade policies and development of less-favoured areas: evidence from the literature," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(4), pages 445-466, August.
    10. Martínez-Zarzoso, Inmaculada & Nowak-Lehmann D., Felicitas, 2004. "MERCOSUR-European Union Trade: How important is EU Trade Liberalisation for MERCOSUR's Exports?," University of Göttingen Working Papers in Economics 30, University of Goettingen, Department of Economics.
    11. Felicitas Nowak-Lehmann & Inmaculada Martínez-Zarzoso, 2003. "MERCOSUR-EU trade: The impact of adverse macroeconomic developments and trade barriers on MERCOSUR exports," International Trade 0310002, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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