The World Trade Organization’s International Trade Agreements – The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade

On 15 April 1994, the Parties to the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization (WTO) is found. Reference to Articles in the GATT in this book, are to the updated version of GATT 1947 – although these only refer to ‘GATT’, as they also apply under the 1994 Agreement. The GATT comprises its predecessor, GATT 194711 – subject to minor modifications – and the following additional documents: identified protocols and decisions that came into force prior to the date on which the Agreement Establishing the World Trade Organization became effective, six specified Understandings, and the Marrakesh Protocol. Each Member of the WTO is to bestow on the commerce of the other Members “treatment no less favourable than that” for which the relevant Part of the applicable Schedule provides. Decision-makers and judges at the GATT/WTO have been unable to agree a definition for the descriptor ‘like’ in respect of products.