GATS
Crunch time in Geneva: benchmarks, plurilaterals, domestic regulation and other pressure tactics in the GATS negotiations
The importance of paying attention to services negotiations in the Doha round
Authors:
S. Sinclair
Publisher:
Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, 2006
This paper provides a critical analysis of the Doha round negotiations. In particular, the paper examines the pressure tactics of the GATS proponents. The author asserts that while there is much media talk surrounding the deadlock in the agricultural talks, there is still a very good chance that a deal will be reached in this round. It is therefore unwise to prejudge the outcome of the talks. Moreover, services continue to be a significant component of the Doha agenda, and there have been major developments in the mandate for services negotiations. The paper aims to provide information for NGOs, elected representatives, and citizens of developing countries, who wish to oppose the GATS proposals.
The paper draws several conclusions from this analysis, including the following:
- the "development" rhetoric of that surrounded the launch of the Doha round of WTO negotiations have been reduced to a typical high pressure, high-stakes market access negotiation
- it is conspicuously hypocritical of GATS proponents to deflect outside criticism of the GATS by pointing to the treaty’s flexibility, while working to undermine this already limited room for maneuver
- because GATS proponents continue to force issues and bully other into concessions, they are still likely to succeed in shaping an eventual outcome that would favour them and their global services corporations, even if a deal is not reached by the end of the year
- remaining focused on the concrete policy implications of the GATS is imperative at this time. This is because reducing the services negotiations to a struggle over the quantity and extent of commitments will result in the meaning and impacts of GATS commitments being ignored until it is too late
- NGOs, elected government representatives and the public must speak out on services issues, and take a stand against the GATS proponents’ use of heavy-handed pressure tactics and the threat of proposed restrictions on domestic regulation.
[adapted from authors]
