Government Procurement Chapters in RTAs: Why the WTO Government Procurement Agreement Is Not Satisfactory?

This paper examines the rationale and the relevance of government procurement provisions in Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs) among member states of the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA). Despite significant normative developments in the GPA since its establishment in 1979, the number of parties remains relatively low, with concerns about opening public procurement markets to international competition being a key factor. This study analyses public procurement commitments in 84 RTAs concluded among GPA member states over three periods, assessing quantitative and qualitative aspects such as thresholds, coverage, and procedures. The role of the European Union (EU) in plurilateral negotiations is emphasized, and the implications of including government procurement chapters in RTAs are discussed. The analysis reveals that the majority of RTAs among GPA member states include provisions related to public procurement, indicating the significance of regional commitments. Different trends are observed, with some agreements focusing on common markets and inclusive opportunities, while others expand coverage in strategic sectors. The influence of regional integration, particularly driven by the EU and the Asia-Pacific region, is evident in the accession of GPA members. Future research should explore the inclusion of public procurement commitments in RTAs within Africa and Latin America and their negotiation dynamics with non-geographically close states to understand the relevance of the GPA for these regions.