Relations of the East European Countries with the GATT

Abstract

Four patterns of relations have been established between Eastern Europe and the members of the GATT. First, there is the case of Czechoslovakia. Czechoslovakia did not become a target-protected, state-trading country until it was already in the GATT. Second, there is the example of Yugoslavia. She approached the GATT after removing her target protection and acceded to the General Agreement, claiming that her foreign trade system was in full conformity with the principles of the GATT. Third, there are the cases of Poland and Romania, where the GATT accommodated itself to the foreign trade systems in the two countries. Finally, Hungary offers an example where the country’s accommodation and the GATT’s accommodation met halfway.