Non-discrimination and Trade in Services

This book argues that the proliferation of global trade and the increasing power of free trade arrangements leave income taxes as one of the few remaining measures that can potentially be used for protectionist purposes. It analyzes the interaction between the non-discrimination principles in tax treaties and trade-related agreements including multilateral (WTO), regional (NAFTA, AANZTA) and bilateral free trade agreements. The absence of a non-discrimination obligation with respect to tax measures that apply to non-resident service providers and to non-resident services may, therefore, significantly undermine trade obligations. The book clearly reveals how these tax barriers to trade may unfairly or unnecessarily restrict trade in services, and puts forward a new, more effective non-discrimination obligation in tax matters to be included in tax treaties, one that would more closely parallel the non-discrimination obligations in trade agreements.

 

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