Extension of the liberalisation of Trade

Documents from [1952] to [1968]

Identity Statement

HAEU Reference Code
OEEC.SBT-02
Reference Archivists

Carr, Mary

Content and Structure

Abstract

At the time when the Steering Board began to operate, the liberalisation commitments, based on a system of multilateral payments (EPU), related to 75 per cent of total imports on private account for Member countries and their overseas territories, calculated on the basis of a given reference year, and to a minimum of 60 per cent of these imports in each of three sectors, namely agricultural and food products, raw materials and manufactured products. Not all Member countries, however, were able to reach these targets. On the contrary the grave crisis following the Korean war, which affected the balance of payments of a number of Member countries, especially Germany, the United Kingdom and France, had on several occasions led to the with drawl of liberalisation measures already taken by those countries and had directly or indirectly prevented any further progress in liberalisation in other countries.
In these circumstances , the Steering Board for Trade endeavoured in the first place to prevent a general retrograde movement following from the disequilibrium which existed between Member countries in the matter of trade liberalisation. The principle had been recognised that other Member countries would maintain their measures of liberalisation in relation to any partner who, for specific reasons recognised in the escape clauses, found itself either compelled to withdraw liberalisation measures or unable to attain the required level of liberalisation . The Steering Board also worked out a series of rules designed to ensure that in applying these restrictions, a Member country did not avoidable prejudice another Member country or unjustifiably discriminate against it.

Allied Materials

Location of Originals
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Historical Archives of the European Union

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