Plurilateral services negotiations set to start on Mar 27, 2006
23 Mar '06
7 min read
Japan, EU, US most prolific demandeurs
Japan participated in the highest number of collective requests: 13 sectors, the plurilateral request on mode 3, and all three requests on MFN exemptions.
The US and the EU each participated as requesting Members in 12 of the sectoral requests in addition to joining the plurilateral request on mode 3. Notable differences in their sectoral requests include the US' participation in the requests on education and audiovisual services.
The EU refrained from joining the request on audiovisual services, in part due to sensitivities from France about the 'cultural exception'; it had also decided not to submit requests related to education, health, and water for human consumption.
On the other hand, the EU joined the request on air transport services and on maritime transport services, while the US did not because of its politically sensitive Jones Act legislation, which prohibits the use, sale or lease of foreign-built or reconstructed vessels in its national waters or its exclusive economic zone, and which benefits from a much-contested, longstanding exemption under WTO rules.
Australia also participated in 12 sectoral requests, while Canada, Norway and New Zealand each joined nine sectoral requests.
Among the developing countries perceived as having a strong offensive interest in services trade, Hong Kong participated in 11 plurilateral requests involving six sectors, Mexico joined in 10 requests involving six sectors, Singapore had nine requests in seven sectors and Chile had eight requests in six sectors.
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