Special and Differential Treatment of developing countries in the World Trade Organization

Special and Differential Treatment of developing countries in the World Trade Organization

Published Jan 2006

Authors

P. Kleen, S. Page

Publisher

Focus themes

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Making Special and Differential Treatment work for developing countries

This online book starts from the premise that, as the international trading system has developed over time and grown more complex, the importance of Special and Differential Treatment (SDT) has increased. The study analyses the development of the provisions for special and differential treatment within the WTO system and the actual and potential development effects of existing provisions. It puts forth a number of suggestions for how to improve the current system.

Some of the key points are:

  • SDT should increase the benefits to developing countries from trade and the weight given to their interests: the purpose of the WTO is to provide the rules that will allow its members, which represent a wide range of different types of economy and level of development, to grow and develop without impeding the progress of others
  • SDT should not replace international or national development strategies: while developed countries concerned about assisting developing countries will want to ensure that the trading system does not obstruct development, they need not use the trading system actively to promote development
  • an inclusive organisation must build in flexibility
  • SDT must be consistent with countries’ own views of their interests
  • SDT should promote integration of countries into the world trading system and support the basic aims of the WTO
  • SDT must avoid excessive costs to other countries and to the international system

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