Most-favoured-nation (MFN) status
최혜국 대우(MFN)
Most-favoured-nation status is the non-discrimination principle under which a country grants a trading partner advantages no less favourable than those given to a third country. In U.S. trade policy during détente, it was used in practice as a synonym for normal trade relations, and the Jackson-Vanik Amendment linked it to emigration requirements for non-market economies.
In depth
In international trade, MFN status does not mean granting one country uniquely privileged tariffs. It means extending to that country the same trade advantages granted to other countries receiving the status, including terms such as lower tariffs or broader quotas. Exceptions exist for customs unions, free-trade areas, and certain developing-country preferences.
Section 402 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974, the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, made MFN status and access to certain financial facilities conditional for non-market economies that restricted emigration. MFN therefore functioned in this period not only as a trade term but also as a diplomatic lever linking emigration policy to U.S.-Soviet relations.
Sources
- Wikipedia (EN) (MFN의 비차별적 무역대우 원칙과 WTO상의 일반적 의미를 지원)
- Wikipedia (EN) (1974년 무역법 수정안이 비시장경제의 이민 제한과 MFN 지위를 연계한 사실을 지원)
- cfr.org (MFN이 당시 정상무역관계로 불렸으며 이민의 자유와 금융·무역 혜택을 연계한 구조를 지원)