ABSTRACT
Ms Amadeo recognizes that these problems can be addressed from within the Plurilateral Trade Agreement (PTA). The best solutions are regulations within the agreements that protect against the disadvantages. Environmental safeguards can prevent destruction of natural resources and cultures. The harmonization of rules of origin requirements and procedures across all PTAs would reduce these costs. However, this standardization would restrict the autonomy of countries to enter into these Agreements on their preferred terms – given satisfaction of the requirements contained in Article XXIV of the GATT, Article V of the GATS and/or the Enabling Clause, as appropriate. It discusses the relationship between PTAs and the easement of cross-border trade beyond that betwixt their Parties, which is known as ‘multilateral trade liberalization’. In the light of these sections, an attempt is made to assess the value that PTAs add to the World Trade Organization’s system of international treaties.
