1998 marks the 50th Anniversary of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT), one of the foundations of the post World War II free trade system. For the first time, the principle of non-discrimination in trade was applied on a multilateral basis. Through this principle the same rights of market access were extended to all 23 of the original signing nations, developed and developing alike. Today, the World Trade Organization, the offspring of the GATT, has 132 members, all of which have adopted the principle of non-discrimination. It is difficult to overstate the contributions of GATT and the WTO to growth and development and yet today the system is under increasing attack as it heads into the next century.
The Brookings Institution hosts this day-long celebration of GATT’s 50th Anniversary, which will feature keynote addresses and panels discussing the present and future challenges the world trading system faces as it enters a new era of high-technology and globalization. This 50th anniversary of GATT will culminate later this spring in Geneva.
Agenda
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March 4
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Keynote Addresses
Charlene Barshefsky United States Trade RepresentativeRenato Ruggiero Director General, World Trade Organization (WTO) -
Moderator
David E. Sanger National Security Correspondent - The New York Times -
Panel I: Globaphobia: Confronting Fears About Open Trade
Robert E. Litan Nonresident Senior Fellow - Economic Studies, Center on Regulation and Markets @BobLitanWill Marshall President and Founder, Progressive Policy Institute -
Panel II: U.S. Trade Policymakers: Looking Forward, Looking Back
Clayton Yeutter Senior Advisor, Hogan LovellsMickey Kantor United States Trade Representative 1993-1996Robert S. Strauss Special Trade Representative 1977-1979William D. Eberle Special Trade Representative 1971-1975William E. Brock, III United States Trade Representative 1981-1985 -
Panel III: The View From Congress
Representative Robert T. Matsui U.S. House of Representatives (D-Calif.) -
Welcome and Introductory Remarks
Bailey Morris-Eck Vice President of Communications, Brookings InstitutionThe Honorable Joseph Lieberman (ID-Conn.) United States Senate
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