International Trade
China has announced that it will no longer seek new “special and differential treatment” (S&DT) at WTO negotiations, signalling a shift in its trade policy.
S&DT provisions give developing and least-developed countries flexibility in meeting trade obligations, including longer transition periods, softer commitments, and greater policy space.
These provisions originated under GATT in the 1960s, were formalised through the “Enabling Clause” of 1979, and later consolidated in the WTO Agreements of 1995, with further emphasis in the Doha Development Agenda of 2001. Their purpose has been to address structural disadvantages of developing economies and safeguard domestic development priorities during trade liberalisation.
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