Regional arrangements or so-called free trade areas and customs unions
have proliferated among states. Today, most of the Contracting Parties to the
GATT are simultaneously members of a customs union or of a free-trade
area. One may argue why such regional groupings are allowed to be established
under the GATT system, notwithstanding the cornerstone of the
GAIT's commitment to non-discrimination toward third countries and the
most favoured nation principle as laid down in Article I. As is clear form its
wording, Article l(l) GATT requires that" ... any advantage, favor, privilege
and immunity granted by any contracting party to any product ... shall be accorded
immediately and unconditionally to the like product of all contracting
parties". However, Article XXIV, as far as free trade areas and customs unions
are concerned, allows an exception to the very basic principle of the
General Agreement.
Regional arrangements or so-called free trade areas and customs unions
have proliferated among states. Today, most of the Contracting Parties to the
GATT are simultaneously members of a customs union or of a free-trade
area. One may argue why such regional groupings are allowed to be established
under the GATT system, notwithstanding the cornerstone of the
GAIT's commitment to non-discrimination toward third countries and the
most favoured nation principle as laid down in Article I. As is clear form its
wording, Article l(l) GATT requires that" ... any advantage, favor, privilege
and immunity granted by any contracting party to any product ... shall be accorded
immediately and unconditionally to the like product of all contracting
parties". However, Article XXIV, as far as free trade areas and customs unions
are concerned, allows an exception to the very basic principle of the
General Agreement.
Primary Language | English |
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Journal Section | Makaleler |
Authors | |
Publication Date | December 28, 1991 |
Published in Issue | Year 1991 |