Tracing GATT-Minus Provisions on Export Restrictions in Regional Trade Agreements

Abstract

Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) have been applauded for advancing new disciplines on export restrictions beyond those provided under the World Trade Organization (WTO), especially with regard to export duties. Nevertheless, RTA provisions that fall short of the WTO’s general prohibition on quantitative restrictions on exports are largely unnoticed. It is important to explore the frequency of these GATT-minus RTA provisions on quantitative export restrictions, their economic importance and the implications for the WTO. WTO Members should be alerted by the prevalence of such provisions and their compatibility with the WTO.