Photo: Flint DuxfieldThe trade in manufactured goods in the WTO is referred to as Non-Agricultural Market Access (NAMA). Essentially this means trade in all other physical goods that are not agriculture, so as is mostly the case, manufactured goods.
Negotiations in the WTO over manufactured goods has proven just as contentious as the negotiations in agriculture. The key issue in the Doha round of negotiations relates to the figures used for determining rate of tariff cuts.
The current proposal, dubbed the "Swiss coefficient", has come under heavy criticism from developing countries as such figures would require countries from the global South to make bigger cuts in their manufacturing tariffs compared to the cuts demanded from rich countries. This is a clear violation of one of the negotiations principles, that is, less than full reciprocity, which provided for rich countries making bigger cuts that poorer countries.
In the recent July Talks there was controversy over the inclusion in the NAMA text negotiations over the 'anti-concentration clause'. This clause was proposed by the developed countries and was aimed at ensuring that developing countries couldn't exclude entire sectors from tariff cuts under any agreement. This clause was largely opposed as it was considered an unfair binding of what developing countries could do to protect sensitive industries, the very point of allowing for less sectors to have tariff cuts.
More Information:
NAMA update September 23rd - Article from Martin Khor that provides an update post July and highlights how the Swiss Coefficient violates the 'less then full reciprocity' principle.
"Stop, wrong way, go back" - Press release from trade unions from countries likely to be majorly impacted by NAMA changes.
"Anti-Concentration Clause" - ITUC briefing note on the Clause.
