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3 - ‘Take It or Leave It’

The EEC Challenge to GATT

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 May 2020

Francine McKenzie
Affiliation:
University of Western Ontario
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Summary

As a powerful member of GATT, the EEC evoked fear and criticism. The EEC, especially France, in turn criticized GATT for ill-serving the interest of Europe and being a tool of the USA. This chapter examines the GATTEEC collision. The EEC tried to limit GATT s authority and proposed regional organizations such as the OECD as alternatives. However, it also supported trade liberalization, in particular during the Kennedy round of GATT talks (1964–1967). The GATT secretariat and many members tried to make the EEC observe GATT norms, rules, and practices, challenging the EEC s support for regional trade agreements and protectionist and discriminatory trade practices. This chapter argues that the EEC was both a constructive and an obstructive force in GATT. It strengthened and threatened the authority of GATT and it promoted and impeded trade liberalization. In its inconsistent support for GATT and liberal trade, the EEC was no different from other members. Because the USA supported European integration, other members stepped up to defend GATT rules and practices, revealing both the need and the opportunities for smaller countries to assume leadership positions.

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Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2020

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  • ‘Take It or Leave It’
  • Francine McKenzie, University of Western Ontario
  • Book: GATT and Global Order in the Postwar Era
  • Online publication: 02 May 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108860192.004
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  • ‘Take It or Leave It’
  • Francine McKenzie, University of Western Ontario
  • Book: GATT and Global Order in the Postwar Era
  • Online publication: 02 May 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108860192.004
Available formats
×

Save book to Google Drive

To save content items to your account, please confirm that you agree to abide by our usage policies. If this is the first time you use this feature, you will be asked to authorise Cambridge Core to connect with your account. Find out more about saving content to Google Drive.

  • ‘Take It or Leave It’
  • Francine McKenzie, University of Western Ontario
  • Book: GATT and Global Order in the Postwar Era
  • Online publication: 02 May 2020
  • Chapter DOI: https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108860192.004
Available formats
×