Plain meaning
International trade agreements administered through the World Trade Organization, including rules on tariffs, goods, services, subsidies, and dispute settlement.
Also called
GATT
Key points
- GATT rules are central to trade in goods and tariff commitments.
- WTO agreements also cover subsidies, anti-dumping, safeguards, services, intellectual property, and dispute settlement.
- Tariff bindings limit how high members can normally raise tariffs without consequences.
- WTO law can matter when Canada imposes or responds to trade measures.
Why it comes up
WTO rules shape tariff bindings, trade remedies, customs valuation, subsidies, and Canada's international trade obligations.