Understanding Rules of Origin: Key to Trade Policies, Tariffs, and Product Labeling in Global Commerce.
Rules of origin are criteria used to determine the origin of a product, crucial for implementing trade policies like quotas, preferential tariffs, and anti-dumping actions. They also aid in compiling trade statistics and labeling products. The General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) lacks specific guidelines for determining the origin of goods, allowing each party to establish its own rules before the Uruguay Round. These rules can vary based on the regulation's purpose, highlighting their role in international trade and commerce.