Trade Policy Statement

14.0 Special and Differential Treatment for Developing Countries

There is compelling need for objective criteria which will determine eligibility for special and differential treatment. Countries should not have the ability to decide on their own that they are eligible.
There should be an upper limit to when a country can be classed as developing. This should be based on objective criteria such as per capita GNP.
Not all developing countries should be entitled to all special and differential provision. There should be more than one category of developing country.  The criteria might include per capita GDP, size and diversity of the agricultural sector and level and range of agricultural exports.
•  Least developed countries should be eligible for all special and differential provisions.
• A developing country with a relatively strong economy and a well developed agricultural sector [e.g. Brazil] might only be eligible for very limited special and differential privileges such as a longer implementation period.
• Special products and special safe guards may be two of the most beneficial special and differential provisions:
- Access to these measures may be limited by the general economic development of a country.
- However the primary criteria for these measures should determine what products or tariff lines might be eligible.
- These criteria should require that there is evidence that special treatment for a product will support and provide needed enhancement of the local agricultural economy and not just create an opportunity for an investor to exploit an exceptional opportunity primarily for its own benefit.