The following study of international commodity agreements, begins with a review of the inherent market and productive characteristics of primary commodities and particularly food staples. Inelasticity of their demand and supply, coupled with the dynamic effects of technological advance, business cycles and wars, lead to two principal difficulties, which are excessive instability of prices and a tendency towards the development and persistence of surplus productive capacity. These conditions cause much hardship amongst the primary producers concerned who are generally unable to help themselves, and call upon their governments for support. Such support is readily forthcoming in those primary producing countries which are particularly dependent upon an export trade in a few staple commodities. In the light of these difficulties the probable objectives of international commodity agreements is also briefly discussed. A detailed case study of certain commodities with which international agreements have been concerned, then follows. The market characteristics, special difficulties, the history of past agreements, and an evaluation of their effects, is made for rubber, coffee, tea, wheat and sugar. In concluding, beef, tin and other international regulatory agreements are mentioned. The opinions of various international bodies are then studied to indicate the direction of current thinking and the possible form of such regulatory agreements in the future. The viewpoints of various critics are also discussed in order to indicate the complexity of the issues involved and the divergencies of opinion which characterise this problem. A detailed review is made of proposals for buffer stock schemes since the idea has only lately received attention and seems to be the only feasible approach to the problem of price instability. In conclusion, it is pointed out, that real problems exist amongst certain primary producing industries, and that international commodity agreements could make some contribution to their solution. The chief weaknesses of past agreements have lain in their price raising objectives and use of export quotas. Individual commodity agreements on a short run basis, together with permanent buffer stock schemes are advocated as a desirable supplement to future anti-cyclical policies. The short run role of commodity agreements is emphasized because of the dangers of export quotas. Buffer stocks are advocated because the problem of price instability is a constantly recurring one. Strict adherence to the provisions of the ITO charter for such agreements will largely obviate the recurrence of their past mistakes. These conclusions are not final in that many problems such as the effective elimination of excess capacity yet remain to be solved. Moreover, it is pointed out that the ultimate control of the business cycle, and industrialization of certain primary producing nations would largely eliminate the problems besetting producers which have given rise to the need for International Commodity Agreements. Because of the institutional nature of this problem little attempt has been made at a statistical analysis of international trade problems. The methodology has been based on a theoretical analysis of underlying problems, followed by a pragmatical approach to previous agreements and an investigation of the writings of the many authorities who have studied the subject. / Land and Food Systems, Faculty of / Graduate

Inaug.-Diss.--Heidelberg. / "Literaturverzeichnis," 1 p. at end.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Pittsburgh, 1991. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 241-248).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--West Virginia University, 2004. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 111 p. : ill. Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Stanford University, 1994. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 73-75).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Columbia University, 1990. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-71).

M.Comm. / This mini dissertation is a literature review that deals with trade liberalisation in the form of Regional Trade Agreements. It focuses on the importance of FDI for economic growth of developing countries. This study investigates ‘new regionalism’ critically. New regionalism suggests that economic growth may be possible if developing countries form trading blocs, which partner with a larger economy and engage in policy reforms aimed at attracting FDI. The study concludes that a trading bloc may possibly attract FDI and create export and growth opportunities. However, the developing countries should be able to manage all aspects associated with REI. These aspects include the negative effects of trade diversion, the impact of adjustment costs, and the administrative requirements of managing RoO in the landscape of highly proliferated RTAs. In addition, FDI will only result in the required growth if the developing economy is able to absorb and assimilate the new technologies and production methods FDI is expected to bring to its shores. Moreover, the FDI should be targeted so as to develop industries of comparative advantage. In order to absorb these benefits a high level of skilled labour is required as well as support structures to assist with training and development of the labour force. In addition, new rules under the WTO is restrictive in the latitude it allows developing countries to assimilate the production methods and technologies of MNCs. The research concludes that careful planning and policy development is required prior to REI if it is to have a hope of succeeding in its goals.

No description available.

The thesis is that to give insufficient recognition to international trade agreements in developing tax policies can result in distortions in international trade. It is not suggested that the objective of facilitating free trade should be paramount to sovereign interests which underlie tax policy decisions. However, the proposition is that in selecting from among alternative tax policies, the policy which should be chosen is that which achieves national objectives while minimizing distortive effects on international trade. The goals of this study are: 1) to determine whether particular tax provisions impede, distort, or otherwise have a negative and unjustifiable effect on free trade; and 2) to reflect on the intersecting role of taxation and international trade. Although many tax policies may be viewed as prima facie "discriminatory", such discrimination may be acceptable pursuant to international agreements, or overriding national interests may prevail. An attempt is made to develop a framework for examining the effects of taxation on international trade which can be used as a guide for tax policy makers in selecting policies which meet domestic criteria as well as facilitate free trade. The thesis consists of five chapters. The first f chapter sets out the methodology, conceptual framework and theoretical basis for the study. The next three chapters examine specific tax regimes in the context of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (the "GATT") and underlying principles of free trade. The tax regimes are: 1) withholding taxes for payments under software licensing arrangements; 2) research and development tax incentives; and 3) cross-border transfer pricing provisions. Chapter five summarizes the case studies and outlines approaches to fiscal harmonization under a free trade regime. The conclusion is that a GATT tax code may be an appropriate mechanism for achieving harmonization for certain tax measures. However, it is infeasible, at least in the short term, to expect a GATT tax code will be placed on the World Trade Organization's agenda. Even if such a code is attainable in the future, unilateral, bilateral and other multi-lateral approaches to eliminating distortive tax policies may be more appropriate in some cases.

The thesis is that to give insufficient recognition to international trade agreements in developing tax policies can result in distortions in international trade. It is not suggested that the objective of facilitating free trade should be paramount to sovereign interests which underlie tax policy decisions. However, the proposition is that in selecting from among alternative tax policies, the policy which should be chosen is that which achieves national objectives while minimizing distortive effects on international trade. The goals of this study are: 1) to determine whether particular tax provisions impede, distort, or otherwise have a negative and unjustifiable effect on free trade; and 2) to reflect on the intersecting role of taxation and international trade. Although many tax policies may be viewed as prima facie "discriminatory", such discrimination may be acceptable pursuant to international agreements, or overriding national interests may prevail. An attempt is made to develop a framework for examining the effects of taxation on international trade which can be used as a guide for tax policy makers in selecting policies which meet domestic criteria as well as facilitate free trade. The thesis consists of five chapters. The first f chapter sets out the methodology, conceptual framework and theoretical basis for the study. The next three chapters examine specific tax regimes in the context of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (the "GATT") and underlying principles of free trade. The tax regimes are: 1) withholding taxes for payments under software licensing arrangements; 2) research and development tax incentives; and 3) cross-border transfer pricing provisions. Chapter five summarizes the case studies and outlines approaches to fiscal harmonization under a free trade regime. The conclusion is that a GATT tax code may be an appropriate mechanism for achieving harmonization for certain tax measures. However, it is infeasible, at least in the short term, to expect a GATT tax code will be placed on the World Trade Organization's agenda. Even if such a code is attainable in the future, unilateral, bilateral and other multi-lateral approaches to eliminating distortive tax policies may be more appropriate in some cases. / Law, Peter A. Allard School of / Graduate