Tariffs: See ‘Guide to Tariff Terminology’ under Related Information for all tariff-related terminology. 

Technical barriers: Various standards applied to imported products for health and safety reasons, to ensure they comply with domestic standards.

Technical standards: Technical standards are measures that lay down the characteristics of a service under GATS, or the manner in which it is supplied.

Tiered approach: Tariff lines to be divided into different bands; bands with higher tariff rates will be subjected to steeper reductions.

Trade creation: Occurs when liberalisation results in imports that displace less efficient local production, and/or in expanding consumption that was previously depressed by artificially high prices due to protection.  

Trade distorting domestic support: Support that leads toprices and production being higher or lower than levels that would usually exist in a competitive market.

Trade diversion: Occurs when a trade reform measure discriminates between different trading partners, and a less efficient (higher cost) source displaces a more efficient (lower cost) one.

Transgenic BT: Bacillus thurigiensis (Bt), a genetically engineered cotton seed resistant to pests.

TRIPS Agreement: WTO agreement on Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property that establishes a minimum level of protection that each member country has to give to the intellectual property of fellow member countries. Covers copyright, trademarks, geographical indications, industrial design, patents, layout designs of integrated circuits, undisclosed information including trade secrets.