Market Access: Unfinished Business: Post-Uruguay Round Inventory and Issues

This study has two closely related objectives: to evaluate post-Uruguay Round market access conditions and to contribute to a clarification of the stakes in the ongoing process of multilateral trade negotiations in the market access area. Industrial tariffs are included along with and agriculture and services, even though they are not currently the subject of a negotiating mandate, because their inclusion contributes to both objectives. The study also provides a brief overview of the progress to date in the mandateda negotiations on agriculture and services. Overall, this survey of market-access conditions confirms that the Uruguay Round, as well as previous rounds, have contributed to a substantial reduction of the overall level of protection. However, this survey also shows that in various areas, trade is still significantly affected by barriers. To give only three examples, trade in agricultural products and trade in textiles and clothing, and in services. Special Study undertaken by WTO's Economic Research and Analysis Division.