[19991103]98-569_The Multilateral Agreement on Investment A Brief Analysis of the Current Status.pdf

1For additional information, see: CRS Report 97-469, Multilateral Agreement on Investment:Implications for the United States, by James K. Jackson; and the MAI Internet address:http:/www.oecd.org/daf/cmis/mai/maindex.htm.Congressional Research Service The Library of CongressCRS Report for CongressReceived through the CRS Web98-569 EUpdated November 3, 1999The Multilateral Agreement on Investment:A Brief Analysis of the Current StatusJames K. JacksonSpecialist in International Trade and FinanceForeign Affairs, Defense, and Trade DivisionSummaryThe Multilateral Agreement on Investment, or the MAI, was expected to be acomprehensive agreement when it was negotiated by ministers from the mosteconomically developed countries in the world, the Organization for EconomicCooperation and Development (the OECD). The Agreement would have established aninternational set of rules on foreign investment.1 Dissatisfaction with a number ofprovisions in the Agreement sparked intense opposition among various non-governmentorganizations and in April 1998 spurred ministers from the United States and elsewhereto postpone additional discussions on the Agreement. France withdrew from thenegotiations in Octob