National treatment

Gene M. Grossman, Henrik Horn, Petros C. Mavroidis

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

4 Scopus citations

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to propose interpretations of the National Treatment (NT) provision included in Art. III GATT, unbound by case-law interpretations of this provision. To make such proposals, we need to understand the role of the provision in the agreement. To this end, we first examine in Section 4.2the negotiating record relevant to the rationale for the enactment of this provision, as well as the manner in which case law has understood it. In the same Section, we also discuss the role of NT in the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) from the perspective of economic theory. Having established the purpose of NT, we discuss in Section 4.3the manner in which this provision has been implemented in case law: that is, here we focus on the understanding of the key terms implementing the purpose of NT by GATT and World Trade Organization (WTO) adjudicating bodies. At the end of this Section we provide a critical assessment of the case law. In light of our dissatisfaction with the case-law interpretations of some key terms, we present in Section 4.4 our preferred interpretation of NT. The main findings of this study could be summarized as follows: we believe that case law, economic theory, and the negotiating record point in the same direction concerning the purpose of the provision: NT is meant to outlaw protectionist use of domestic instruments. It is often unclear whether case-law interpretations of the key terms of this provision promote, if at all, the purpose of the provision. This seems to be largely explained by the absence of a coherent methodology, based on both legal and economic thinking. This is the gap that this study aims to fill.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationLegal and Economic Principles of World Trade Law
Subtitle of host publicationEconomics of Trade Agreements, Border Instruments, and National Treasures
PublisherCambridge University Press
Pages205-345
Number of pages141
ISBN (Electronic)9781139839105
ISBN (Print)9781107038615
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2011

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Social Sciences

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