African, Caribbean, Pacific Countries. Most of these countries have ex-colonial ties with European countries

(In agriculture negotiations) Contains all domestic support measures considered to distort trade and production, such as measures to support prices, or subsidies directly related to production quantities

Setting numerical targets or indicators for liberalisation of trade in services. This approach to negotiations is in contradiction with the request/offer approach, whereby each member State decides what sector to liberalise and puts its offer on the table

(In agriculture negotiations) Contains all domestic support that would normally be in the amber box but because they require farmers to limit their production are tolerated.

If country A can produce 6 kilos of apples in one hour and only 3 kilos of pears in an hour, then country A has a comparative advantage in producing apples. It can exchange its surplus apples for pears from country B that has a comparative advantage in producing pears.

In the context of TRIPS, this means, that a State can issue licenses without the patent holder’s authorisation to produce a patented product or to use a patent process

The process of flooding the world market with excess production and inducing a price decrease

General Agreement on Trade in Services, 1994. This agreement is the first one to cover trade in services on a multilateral basis

The General Council (GC) of the World Trade Organisation is the highest decision making body in Geneva. It is ranked second after the Ministerial Conference. Since the Ministerial Conferences only take place every 2 years, the General Council carries out the day to day work. All member governments have a representative to the General Council

Drug with the equivalent properties as a brand-named drug but commercialised under its chemical name

Name of a product derived from the region it is produced in, with a special meaning in regard to its characteristics. Eg. Champagne

(In agriculture Negotiations) contains subsidies that don’t distort trade or at most cause minimal distortion. These subsidies must be government funded and  must not involve price support.

Possibility to export more to another country through tariff reduction

(In Services negotiations) concerns “cross border trade” - services supplied from the territory of one country into the territory of another through telecommunication or postal services. Distance training is an example.

(In Services negotiations) concerns “consumption abroad” - when people travel or work abroad and consume services there.

(In Services negotiations) relates to “commercial presence” - when a service supplier from one country offers its service in another country through a locally established affiliate, subsidiary or representative office. An example of this is a chain of hotels.

(In Services negotiations) concerns “movement of natural persons” - when an independent service supplier or an employee of a service provider provides services abroad. This is the case  of doctors or nurse that work abroad

This clause is a pillar of the WTO regime. This principle ensures equality of treatment  for all WTO members. For instance if a State decides to cut tariffs on products coming from a certain country, then the cut in tariffs will apply equally  to all other trading partners. This is to widen trade exchanges and not discriminate between trading partners

Non Agriculture Market Access concerns products which are not included in agricultural negotiations nor services. This means mainly industrial products and some natural resources as fisheries, forests or minerals

This clause is a pillar of the WTO regime. The national treatment  principle implies that a State cannot treat foreign products or services less favourably than domestic products or services. That doesn’t prevent States from using  tariffs or quotas since this principle only applies to services or products once they have entered the country.

Negotiating process used in services whereby each member State decides what sector to liberalise and puts its offer on the table

Products of special interest to developing countries or LDCs.

Special Safeguard Mechanisms are measures States can take when facing big quantities of competing imports

Special and Differential Treatment accorded to developing countries or LDC whereby they have longer transition periods to adapt to a new rule or lesser commitments to make in tariff reduction.

Subsidies can be of various kinds; they can be directly linked to the level of production or indirectly such as a subsides for water irrigation. They can provide minimal earning guarantees to farmers. Subsides can also be used to promote  exports of agricultural products (export subsidies). Whatever their kind, subsidies have the same effect: they encourage farmers to produce. In agriculture negotiations, we talk of domestic support

The Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Agreement, part of the Marrakech Agreements of 1994, is the most comprehensive international agreement in relation to IP. It covers 7 types of intellectual property (Copyright and related rights, trademarks, geographical indications, industrial design, patents, layout-design of Integrated circuits and protection of undisclosed information).
Its linkage with the issue of patents, generic drugs and access to health makes it a controversial agreement.

1986-1994 round of trade negotiations ending with the creation of the WTO.

The World Trade Organisation is the international organisation dealing with trade rules among States. It was established in 1995 after the Uruguay Round of negotiations ended in 1994. Located in Geneva (Switzerland), the WTO has 148 member countries. The WTODirector-General is Pascal Lamy.