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11.
Hong Kong played a significant role in the negotiations and in the subsequent informal discussions. It staunchly defended the MFN rule but was at the same time pragmatic enough to realise that, if the move toward a selective safeguards agreement could not be halted, then Hong Kong should participate actively in the negotiations on the new rules so as to protect its own interests as far as possible. There was considerable relief in Hong Kong when the negotiations finally broke down in 1979.
The GATT Ministerial Meeting
12.
At the annual meeting of the GATT last year, the Con- tracting Parties agreed that the 1982 annual meeting should be held at the ministerial level. This Ministerial Meeting is scheduled to be held in November 1982 and preparations for it have become the focus of current GATT activities.
13.
According to the decision of the Contracting Paries: "The purpose of the ministerial meeting would be to examine the functioning of the multilateral trading system and to reinforce the common efforts of the contracting parties to support and improve the system for the benefit of all nations. To this end, Ministers would address themselves to the imple- mentation of the results of the Multilateral Trade Negotiations, problems affecting the trading system, the position of developing countries in world trade and future prospects for the development of trade. Finally, in the context of their consideration of the work programme of the GATT for the 1980s, Ministers would also determine future priorities for co-operation among contracting parties."
14.
The agenda for the meeting has yet to be agreed. This in itself is a controversial issue. The Americans, who are placing considerable importance on the meeting, have proposed several subjects, including trade in counterfeit goods, trade in services. and trade-related investment issues. With the exception of trade in counterfeit goods, the Americans have set limited objectives in respect of the Ministerial Meeting. They merely want Ministers to agree that the GATT should undertake a work programme to examine the issues involved and their relationship with the GATT. On trade in counterfeit goods, they want Ministers to conclude an agreement which would then be opened for signature by interested parties.
15.
These US proposals have met with opposition from some LDCS, including major ones such as Brazil and India. These LDCs argue that the subjects proposed by the USA are outside the pur- view of the GATT and that; while important issues in the GATT's existing work programme - issues such as safeguards, structural adjustment and agriculture - remain unresolved, it would be wrong for the GATT to initiate work in other areas not in the work programme, especially when such areas are outside the scope of the GATT.
4.
No comments yet.
Private notes are available after approval.