Title Page
ABSTRACT
ABBREVIATION
Contents
CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION 12
1.1. Legal Issue 15
1.2. Scope of research 16
1.3. Methodologies 17
1.4. Resources 18
1.5. Implications 18
CHAPTER II. BASIC KNOWLEDGE AND CURRENT SITUATION OF RULES OF ORIGIN UNDER WTO 20
2.1. Non-preferential and Preferential RO 20
2.1.1. The context of RO 20
2.1.2. The Concepts of "Non-preferential RO" and "Preferential RO" 21
2.2. Rules of Origin under WTO System: The Agreement on Rules of Origin (ARO) and the Harmonized Working Program (HWP) 25
2.2.1. The initiatives of the Agreement 25
2.2.2. Agreement on Rules of Origin Overview 28
2.2.3. Harmonization Working Program (HWP) 36
2.2.4. Recent movements 37
CHAPTER III. THE FEATURES OF PREFERENTIAL RULES OF ORIGIN IN PREFERENTIAL TRADE AGREEMENTS 39
3.1. Wholly-obtained principle 41
3.1.1. NAFTA 42
3.1.2. ATIGA 42
3.1.3. Pan-Euro-Med Preferential Rules of Origin 43
3.2. Substantial Transformation 48
3.2.1. Change in Tariff Classification (CTC) 50
3.2.2. Percentage Criterion 51
3.3. Cumulation 54
3.3.1. Full cumulation 55
3.3.2. Bilateral Cumulation 57
3.3.3. Diagonal cumulation 57
CHAPTER IV. BUILDING THE HARMONIZED SYSTEM OF RULES OF ORIGIN IN THE LIGHT OF WTO PRINCIPLES 61
4.1. Non-discrimination 61
4.1.1. "Like products" 62
4.1.2. The criteria of intent and effect 63
4.1.3. The Most Favored Nation (MFN) 65
4.1.4. The National Treatment (NT) 67
4.1.5. Some exceptions of non-discrimination principle 69
4.1.6. Non-discrimination under ARO 77
4.2. Transparency 77
4.2.1. Internal transparency 80
4.3. Supporting developing and least-developed countries 83
4.3.1. Less-stringent rules for developing countries 83
4.3.2. Preferences for developing and LDCs members 84
Chapter V. CONFLICTS BETWEEN PREFERENTIAL RULES OF ORIGIN AND PROPOSALS 87
5.1. Incidental Issues On Rules Of Origin In Current Circumstances 87
5.1.1. Cumulation and the violation to non-discrimination principle 88
5.1.2. Administration on RO and the violation to transparency principle 91
5.1.3. Protectionism and the ability of developing countries and LDCs to take advantage from preferential treatments 94
5.2. Proposals 96
5.2.1. Modification on Cumulation Rules 97
5.2.2. Potential Solution From Percentage Of Value-Added Rules 101
5.2.3. Optimize the function of WTO Dispute Settlement Body 104
CHAPTER V. CONCLUSION 107
REFERENCE LIST 114