The principle in the WTO that developing countries be accorded special privileges, either exempting them from some WTO rules or granting them preferential treatment in the application of WTO rules.
Preferential treatment that WTO rules allow for developing countries. For example, developing country exports may enjoy preferential access to developed country markets; may not be expected to offer full reciprocity in trade negotiations; and may enjoy greater flexibility and longer periods of time to phase in new commitments.
A principle allowing developing countries to have lesser reduction commitments than developed countries.
An integral principle of the multilateral trading system based on the argument that a uniform set of trade rules and obligations among vastly divergent economies does not serve the best interest of all parties. Special and Differential policies typically take the form of less extensive liberalization or longer transition periods for the implementation of commitments for developing countries compared to industrial countries.
The GATT principle that developing countries be accorded special privileges exempting them from some requirements applied to developed countries. It also permits tariff preferences among developing countries and by developed countries in favor of developing countries, as under the “Generalized System of Preferences.
The provision allowing exports from developing countries to receive preferential access to developed markets without having to accord the same treatment in their domestic markets.