Publication

This publication examines what a cap on extremely high tariffs may mean for developing country exporters. It provides a brief history of 'sensitive product' negotiations and notes that sensitive products and tariff-rate quotas have been deemed a political necessity in concluding the round. The paper then details the implications that a tariff cap may have by assessing these tariff-rate quotas as well as country specific tariff profiles of Iceland, Norway, Japan and Switzerland. It concludes that sensitive products, in conjunction with a tariff cap, are likely to stifle some aspects of developing country gains.