ABSTRACT
Several years ago this author predicted that the success of the Uru guay Round would not mean that the move towards the consolidation of trading blocks would be stopped, only that the move would be slower. A scenario of confrontation would rapidly develop if any of the two existing or potential trading blocks (the EC/EEA and the US/NAFTA1) should, first, lose interest in the multilateral process of negotiation; second, become an entity which systematically excludes would-be candidates from joining in new initiatives; third, maintain or increase the average level of protection against non-members; fourth, resort to bilateral reciprocity for the granting of trade conces sions; fifth, impose unilaterally retaliatory measures and resort to threats; or sixth, discriminate against foreign producers within the block.
