Doha and developing countries

WTO definitions of developing countries

Of 132 countries in the WTO, 103 are classified as developing or least developed. This number is increasing year by year.There are no WTO definitions of ‘developed’ and ‘developing’ countries so members make their own decisions on their status. However, other members can challenge the decision of a member to make use of provisions available to developing countries.

Special and differential treatment

Special and Differential Treatment allows for developed countries to treat developing countries more favourably than other WTO members, and for flexibility in the rate at which developing countries are expected to liberalise.

Preferential trade agreements

The most significant expression of SDT is non-reciprocal Preferential Trade Agreements, which allow least developed countries to benefit from lowered tariffs on certain products, to boost their access to international markets without the requirement of lowering their own tariffs in return.
One of the aims of Doha has been to erode these PTAs, since they are seen as distorting paths to multilateral trade liberalisation. The rationale is that the introduction of duty and quota free access for products from LDCs will erase the necessity for PTAs. The erosion of the PTAs has prompted much discussion. One key area of debate is the EU's plan to replace its non-reciprocal PTAs with ACP countries with Economic Partnership Agreements that would require the elimination of ACP tariffs.

Aid for trade

To cushion the transition period, alternative forms of support, such as aid for trade, have been proposed. Aid for trade is intended primarily to develop supply capacity in developing countries, enabling them to have a greater chance of holding their own in the global market.

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images: J.-L. Dugast / Panos Pictures / C. Stowers / Panos Pictures