Developing Country Status

• 09 Jun 2020

• The US President has accused China of taking advantage of the US through the World Trade Organisation (WTO) saying that if China is considered a ‘developing country’, the US should be called one too.
• There are no WTO definitions of developed and developing countries. Members announce for themselves whether they are developed or developing countries. 
• However, other members can challenge the decision of a member to make use of provisions available to developing countries.
• The WTO Agreements contain Special and Differential Treatment (S&D) provisions which give developing countries special rights.