ABSTRACT
One of the main purposes of the general tariff adopted in 1932 was to give the Executive greater powers to bargain with other countries, and thus assist the export trades. As well as the powers to bargain with a view to a reciprocal reduction of import duties, the Executive were given authority to threaten and put into force discriminatory duties against the imports of countries treating British exports in an unreasonable manner. When one of the avowed purposes of import duties or prohibitions is to arm the Executive with a bargaining weapon, it may be taken for granted that any countries vitally concerned will try to forestall any bargains by raising their tariffs. The bargaining powers of the Government are much more limited with the older duties than with the duties imposed since 1932.
