The Political Economy of the Uruguay Round Negotiations: A View from Geneva

Abstract

, at a meeting in Punta del Este, Uruguay, a new round of multilateral trade negotiations began. Agriculture was identified as one of the key sectors of concern in these negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). This paper seeks to explain the need for negotiations in the agricultural sector, and identifies the key issues and positions before the negotiators. Prospects for the outcome of the negotiation are also examined. Agriculture in the GATT The GATT was established in 1947 by 23 countries agreeing to subscribe to a set of rules for international trade. At the same time, it established a forum for the discussion and resolution of trade problems, and for periodic multilateral negotiations to liberalize trade. Today, the GATT has 96 members (several of whom have only recently joined) and its rules are applied on a de facto basis by an additional 31 countries. GATT rules are supposed to apply to trade in all goods, agricultural and industrial. Its basic premise is equal treatment for national and imported goods, and non-discriminatory treatment among