There is an inherent contradiction between GATT Article 1 (unconditional MFN treatment), and GATT Article 24 (permitting states to form PTAs).

Question

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GATT Article 1 states that countries must extend unconditional MFN treatment to all other member countries, while GATT Article 24 allows for countries to form Preferential Trading Arrangements (PTAs) with other countries, which involves granting differential treatment to those countries. These two articles are contradictory since PTAs by nature involve discrimination among member countries, which goes against the principle of MFN treatment enshrined in Article 1.

There Is an Inherent Contradiction Between GATT Article 1 (Unconditional