The Genesis of the GATT

Examines the motivations and contributions of the two main framers of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), and the smaller role of other countries.

Douglas A. Irwin (Author), Petros C. Mavroidis (Author), Alan O. Sykes (Author)

9780521142069, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 29 May 2009

330 pages
22.6 x 15 x 2.3 cm, 0.54 kg

"...Irwin (Darthmouth College, Free Trade Under Fire, CH, Mar'03, 40-4109), Mavroidis (Columbia Law School), and Sykes (Stanford Law School) provide an informative historical account of the creation and evolution of the GATT, which is a cornerstone of of the economic architecture after WW II was intended to establish a rules-based system in the trade sector to parallel the rules-based IMF structure in monetary system...excellent bibliography...Highly Recommended..."
--I. Walter, New York University, CHOICE

This book is part of a wider project on the economic logic behind the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). This volume asks: What does the historical record indicate about the aims and objectives of the framers of the GATT? Where did the provisions of the GATT come from and how did they evolve through various international meetings and drafts? To what extent does the historical record provide support for one or more of the economic rationales for the GATT? This book examines the motivations and contributions of the two main framers of the GATT, the United States and the United Kingdom, as well as the smaller role of other countries. The framers desired a commercial agreement on trade practices as well as negotiated reductions in trade barriers. Both were sought as a way to expand international trade to promote world prosperity, restrict the use of discriminatory policies to reduce conflict over trade, and thereby establish economic foundations for maintaining world peace.

1. The creation of the GATT
2. The negotiation of the GATT
3. The rationales for the GATT
Annex A. Documents relating to the negotiations
Annex B. Negotiating committees and subcommittees.

Subject Areas: International economic & trade law [LBBM]