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Towards a New Age in Special and Differential Treatment

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  • Holmes, Peter
  • Lopez-Gonzalez, Javier

Abstract

In this paper we provide a historical and political overview of the origin and evolution in Special and Differential Treatment (SDT). We suggest that the current applicability of such treatment to the self-selecting ‘developing country’ grouping is no longer coherent given the huge heterogeneity of its component countries. We aim to provide a justification for a more targeted approach to SDT that is geared towards the development needs of the most vulnerable countries. To this end, we propose the use of observable criteria, serving the purpose of identifying capacity constraints, to determine selection into SDT provisions. We provide a discussion of a methodological framework that can be applied on an issue-by-issue basis and that relies on the use of composite indicators. These are aggregated using ranked criteria and take on a weighted structure and a set of thresholds that arise though a negotiated process. The secondary objective of this paper is to re-launch the debate on the reform of a system which has appeared to lose its development focus. 

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  • Holmes, Peter & Lopez-Gonzalez, Javier, 2011. "Towards a New Age in Special and Differential Treatment," Papers 239, World Trade Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:wti:papers:239
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Holmes, Peter & Lopez-Gonzalez, Javier & MILE 02, Anirudh Shingal, 2011. "TRIPS and Special & Differential Treatment – Revisiting the Case for Derogations in Applying Patent Protection for Pharmaceuticals in Developing Count," Papers 238, World Trade Institute.
    2. Keck, Alexander & Low, Patrick, 2004. "Special and differential treatment in the WTO: Why, when and how?," WTO Staff Working Papers ERSD-2004-03, World Trade Organization (WTO), Economic Research and Statistics Division.
    3. John Whalley, 1999. "Special and Differential Treatment in the Millennium Round," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 22(8), pages 1065-1093, November.
    4. Whalley, John, 1990. "Non-discriminatory Discrimination: Special and Differential Treatment under the GATT for Developing Countries," Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 100(403), pages 1318-1328, December.
    5. Hoekman, Bernard & Ozden, Caglar, 2005. "Trade preferences and differential treatment of developing countries : a selective survey," Policy Research Working Paper Series 3566, The World Bank.
    6. Thomas Cottier, 2006. "From Progressive Liberalization to Progressive Regulation in WTO Law," Journal of International Economic Law, Oxford University Press, vol. 9(4), pages 779-821, December.
    7. Prebisch, Raúl, 1950. "The economic development of Latin America and its principal problems," Sede de la CEPAL en Santiago (Estudios e Investigaciones) 29973, Naciones Unidas Comisión Económica para América Latina y el Caribe (CEPAL).
    8. Craig VanGrasstek & Pierre Sauvé, 2006. "The Consistency of WTO Rules: Can the Single Undertaking Be Squared with Variable Geometry?," Journal of International Economic Law, Oxford University Press, vol. 9(4), pages 837-864, December.
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    1. Holmes, Peter & Lopez-Gonzalez, Javier & MILE 02, Anirudh Shingal, 2011. "TRIPS and Special & Differential Treatment – Revisiting the Case for Derogations in Applying Patent Protection for Pharmaceuticals in Developing Count," Papers 238, World Trade Institute.

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