Developing countries tend to take a negative view of the protection of intellectual property rights as reflected in the TRIPs agreement, as this seems to conflict with their own developmental needs. As the following article points out, there are, however, a number of reasons why developing...

The GATT Conference of Ministers scheduled for November will have to deal with those developments of recent years which have given cause to believe that GATT is increasingly being adapted to the trade practices of its signatories rather than itself serving as their guiding principle. Does such a...

Unlike traditional (goods-only) trade agreements, the scope of the General Agreement on Trade in Services extends beyond the treatment of products (services) to cover that of suppliers as well. The trade interests of particular groups of suppliers, including SMEs, can thus be addressed directly...

Negotiations on agriculture have for a long time been the centre piece and the stumbling block of the Uruguay Round. While the EC has had to bear the brunt of public criticism, the US has clearly contributed its fair share to bringing about the present unsatisfactory state of affairs. This...