ABSTRACT

The change in U.S. trade policy during the 1980s arose partly from frustration over lack of progress within the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) in addressing issues of particular concern to the United States. These issues included restrictions on trade in agricultural products, insufficient protection of intellectual property, the use of subsidies in international trade, and restrictions on trade in services. Being frustrated at the multilateral level, the United States moved in the direction of bilateral agreements hoping that progress there could provide a demonstration effect that would carry over into the broader arena.