Graduation

Graduation

Summary of Graduation

The act of recognition by the world community that formerly less developed Countries (read this and related legal terms for further details) have undergone sufficient economic development to be regarded as “developed”or industrialized nations. The recognition of this new status is usually accompanied by the withdrawal of trade concessions and aid programs routinely granted to less developed countries. Brazil, Korea, and Hong Kong, among others, are often regarded as having “graduated”into developed nations.

(Main Author: William J. Miller)

Graduation and the GATT Policy Negotiations

In relation to the GATT Policy Negotiations, Christopher Mark (1993) provided the following explanation and/or definition of Graduation: The principle that an individual developing country –as it advances economically and becomes more developed, such as through industrialization, increased production and export earnings, and rising living standards –should assume greater responsibilities and obligations within GATT. As enunciated by the GATT enabling clause, graduation specifically implies that donor countries will remove or “graduate” the more advanced developing countries from eligibility for preferential treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). The United States has graduated Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea from the US asp program accordingly.

Graduation

This section provides an overview of graduation within the legal context of Most-Favoured Nation Treatment (MFN) in international economic law, with coverage of Non-Discrimination in Trade of Goods and Services (Principles).

Resources

Further Reading

  • Arthur E Appleton, “Graduation,” Elgar Encyclopedia of International Economic Law, Cheltenham Glos (United Kingdom), Northampton, MA (United States)

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