GATT Article XXIV

GATT Article XXIV allows countries to form free trade areas or customs unions—agreements where members reduce tariffs and trade barriers among themselves—to promote economic integration. However, these agreements must comply with specific conditions: they should not raise barriers to trade with non-member countries or undermine the broader principles of free trade. Essentially, it provides a legal framework for countries to cooperate more closely on trade by establishing regional agreements, as long as such arrangements are transparent, balanced, and do not unfairly disadvantage other trading partners.