 RESTRICTED  
  
S/C/W/443  
 
12 June 2023  
(23-3980) Page: 1/1 
Council for Trade in Services  Original: Spanish  
 
COMMUNICATION FROM ARGENTINA  
REVIEW OF ARTICLE II (MFN) EXEMPTIONS  
Argentina's written reply to the question from Japan ( S/C/W/431 ) 
The following communication  from the delegation of Argentina , dated 12 June 2023, is being 
circulated to the Members of the Council for Trade in  Services.  
 
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QUESTION 55 FROM JAPAN ( S/C/W/431 , PAGE 8)  
Q55. Please explain whether the condition for this exemption (development of do mestic satellite 
systems) is still valid and whether Argentina conducted any review on the effectiveness of the 
reciprocity arrangement since the last review.  
 
Argentina's reply:  
Argentina maintains the GATS Article II (MFN) exemption scheduled for the telecommunications 
services sector, as it remains  an essential element for the development of the domestic satellite 
industry. Argentina therefore ratifies the reasons that led to th e establishment of this exemption.  
Regarding the effectiveness of the arrangement (the reciprocity requirement), the instrument 
adopted has, since its implementation and until now, proved to be appropriate for preserving the 
development of national satelli te systems from the automatic assumption of multilateral 
commitments to open trade  that could harm such development.  
Despite Argentina's ongoing efforts to seek alternatives that are consistent with the principles 
governing international trade, the exemption in question  continues to be the most appropriate 
arrangement.  
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