A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

MULTILATERAL TRADE NEGOTIATIONS

Multilateral Trade Negotiations conducted under the GATT and now the WTO. Eight rounds took place under the GATT and the Doha Development Agenda was launched in 2001 under the WTO:

1947	Geneva	creation of the GATT
1949	Annecy	negotiations with countries wishing to accede to GATT. During this round the focus was on tariff reductions
1951	Torquay	new accessions and tariff reductions
1956	Geneva	similar to previous rounds.
1960-1962	Geneva	the "Dillon Round". Revision of the GATT and new accessions.
1964-1967	Geneva	the "Kennedy Round". First time the formula approach was adopted (50% reduction, with exceptions) in addition to the traditional product by product approach.
1973-1979	Geneva	the "Tokyo Round". Formula tariff reductions with a view to "harmonize" the levels of tariffs. Agreements on the use of selected non tariff measures.
1986-1994	Geneva	the "Uruguay Round". Product by product approach by all participants, especially reciprocal offers and sectorial negotiations by a number of participants, to eliminate or harmonize duties in certain sectors ("zero for zero" approach). Strengthening of the GATT and its expansion to new areas (services, counterfeit goods, etc.). Active participation of developing countries offering extensively new bindings at "ceiling rates". Use of the new concept of "credit for bindings" and "recognition of autonomous liberalization measures" for developing country participants. New accessions to WTO. Creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
2002	Doha	The Doha Development Round was launched in Qatar by the Fourth WTO Ministerial Conference in November 2001.

Refer to the Doha Agenda on the WTO website for more information on the Doha Development Agenda.