Introduction

Abstract

The Uruguay Round launched at Punta del Este in 1986 was the eighth and most ambitious of the multilateral trade negotiations conducted under the auspices of the GATT (General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade). There were 105 contracting parties involved in 15 negotiating groups. As well as addressing traditional issues such as tariff liberalisation, the negotiators sought to extend GATT disciplines to the new areas of services, intellectual property and investment measures. In addition, a high priority was given to reforming trade in sectors such as textiles but especially agriculture, which had previously been subject to waivers from normal GATT rules and disciplines.