3.
Item 16:
Application of Article XXXV to Japan
Japan appealed to the three remaining Contracting Parties still invoking Article XXXV against Japan to disinvoke soon.
Item 17: International Trade Centre
Having expressed great appreciation of the efforts of the ITC in promoting trade opportunities for developing countries. Indin announced a contribution of US$50,000 to the ITC.
Item 18:
Textiles
Arrangement regarding International Trade in
A mini-debate developed as the result of a Korean complaint about the Community's dictatorial approach to the renegotiation of bilaterals. For details see my telno 621.
Activities of GATT
A..
0
The debate concentrated on the concern articulated by many delegations at the spread of protectionist actions and the effect these were likely to have on the future of the open international trading system. The US (Barraclough) reflected the general drift of the debate in stressing the dangers of protectionism at a time when it had become difficult to distinguish structural from cyclical problems and when governments apparently mistrusted reliance on established procedures for dealing with trade problems. This made all the more important a successful conclusion to the MTNs, to which the developing countries as well as the industrialised could make a positive contribution. They added that the stronger economies had a responsibility to absorb the greater part of the impact of the adjustments involved in the liberalisation of world trade. Japan (Sawaki) also emphasised the importance of speedy conclusion and implementation of the MTNs and announced that Japan was "actively considering" a unilateral advance reduction of tariffs which would be based on the working hypothesis of an overall tariff reduction of 10%, over eight years and which they expected to be credited to Japan's MTN account Brazil Indi Pakistan and other developing countries expressed concern over the effects of protectionism on the development of their economies and called for more serious and determined commitment to industrial adjust- ment by industrialised countries. New Zealand gave a brief account of proposed modifications to its customs tariff which would make it better attuned to New Zealand's current trading position and would have the overall effect of lowering duties. For the Community: Dugimont spoke as agreed in co-ordination.
Other Business
1
5. Australia and the Community supported by New Zealand expressed their surprise that the US agriculturel waiver had not been included on the agenda for the meeting, and their desire to see the US arnuel report soon. The US explained that the report had only just been submitted; it could perhaps be included on the next Council agenda.
/Date
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.