Selectivity

Selectivity and the GATT Policy Negotiations

In relation to the GATT Policy Negotiations, Christopher Mark (1993) provided the following explanation and/or definition of Selectivity: The application of safeguards in such a way as to restrict imports from a particular country or group of countries, in contrast with non-discriminatory actions taken according to themost-favored-nation principle. Proponents of selectivity argue that the disruptive effects of safeguards should be minimized by applying restrictions only to exporting countries that are the source of disruption; opponents argue that selective safeguards effectively penalize “efficient but law-abiding” foreign producers.