GATT
WTO
GATT was a multilateral agreement with a set of rules which were not enforceable. It had no institutional framework and a very small secretariat
WTO is a permanent institution with its own secretariat.
It was applied on a provisional basis
initially and continued to be treated like
that even after 40 years of its existence
Its commitments are full and permanent.
GATT applied to only trade in merchandise goods.
WTO applies to both trade of merchandise goods and services anf also trade related aspects of Intellectual Property Rights.
Agreements constituting GATT were initially multilateral in nature but by 1980s many new agreements which were added were pluri-lateral or of selective nature.
All agreements are multilateral in nature and involve commitments by all members.
GATT dispute settlement was slower and with a lot of hurdles.
WTO dispute settlement is more automatic and faster than that of GATT.
GATT existed until 1995 as GATT
1994-which was an updated version of
GATT 1947
WTO agreements still constitutes ‘GATT 1994’ focusing on disciplines regarding international trade.