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The next GATT round: Bilateralism versus multilateralism?

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Intereconomics

Abstract

A breakthrough towards the liberalization of trade in a world economy distorted by a multitude of trade barriers can only be achieved by bllateral or plurilateral negotiations, it is argued by some. The spread of bilateralism will lead to a fragmentation of world trade and the further distortion of the world economy, counter their opponents. Our author reviews some theoretical arguments in the light of historical situations similar to the present.

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References

  1. GATT: Trade Policies for a better future—Proposals for action, Geneva, March 1985.

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  15. Ibid. See Robert E. Baldwin: The Changing Nature of U.S. Trade Policy since World War II, in: Robert E. Baldwin, Anne O. Krueger (eds.): The Structure and Evolution of Recent U.S. Trade Policy, University of Chicago Press, Chicago, pp. 5–27.

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Revised version of a paper presented at the “IV. Internationaler Kongreß Junge Wissenschaft und Wirtschaft” of the Hanns Martin Schleyer-Stiftung, 21–25 May 1986. I wish to thank Frank D. Weiss for many extremely productive discussions. Financial support from the Alfried Krupp von Bohlen und Halbach-Stiftung is gratefully acknowledged.

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Klepper, G. The next GATT round: Bilateralism versus multilateralism?. Intereconomics 21, 232–238 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02926977

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