No, China is not currently a member of the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA).
Understanding the Government Procurement Agreement (GPA)
The Government Procurement Agreement (GPA) is a plurilateral agreement under the auspices of the World Trade Organization (WTO). Its primary objective is to open up government procurement markets among its parties, fostering competition, transparency, and non-discrimination in the awarding of government contracts. This means that parties to the GPA must allow suppliers from other GPA parties to compete for their government contracts on an equal footing with domestic suppliers, subject to certain thresholds and agreed-upon coverage.
Current GPA Parties
The GPA currently includes a number of WTO members who have voluntarily joined the agreement. These parties are committed to mutually opening their government procurement markets to each other.
Among the parties to the GPA are:
- Armenia
- Canada
- The European Union, which encompasses its 27 Member States (such as Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, and Slovakia, among others).
China is not listed among the current parties to the GPA.
The Significance of GPA Membership
Membership in the GPA signifies a commitment to international trade principles in public procurement, which can lead to:
- Increased Market Access: For businesses, it means potential opportunities to bid on government contracts in other member countries.
- Enhanced Transparency: The agreement mandates clear and predictable rules for procurement processes, reducing the likelihood of corruption and favoritism.
- Fair Competition: It ensures that foreign suppliers are treated no less favorably than domestic ones, promoting a level playing field.
For more detailed information on the Government Procurement Agreement, you can visit the United States Trade Representative's website.
