Le rôle du GATT et les enjeux de l'Uruguay Round

Abstract

The GATT and the Uruguay Round, by Patrick A. Messerlin Born in difficult circumstances, GATT bas promoted a strong economie growth during the post-War era. Its resounding success flows from the fact that GATT is realistic. Its text merely requires transparent and non discriminatory protection. GATT Rounds which are hased on mercantilist but realistic negotiating techniques have been able to generale progressive trade liberalizations taking into account all the conflicting interests. The Uruguay Round bas three major economie objectives : to reduce tariff « peaks » which bave survived or reemerged in industries, to open trade in agriculture and services, and to improve rules on contingent protection and on intellectual propriety rights. For the European Community, this Round represents a challenge. In sharp con- trast to the US the Community has exhausted benefits from regional integration. As a result, it has special duty in the future (until now discharged by the US) ; to be for the Community's and world's benefit, the pivotal supporter of good functioning of the GATT multilateral disciplines.