European Regionalism and Multilateral Trade Negotiations

This article contributes a counter-example to the discussion about the negative effects of regionalism on the multilateral trading order. The article analyses the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) negotiations during the Uruguay Round and shows that France was induced to accept a more free trade oriented package due to her integration into the European Community. The importance of the European economic and diplomatic relationships led France to accept a GATT deal which she felt would be disadvantageous. The existence of a regional bloc, the European Community, had a beneficial effect for the multilateral trading system