| Area | Classical Perception | Modern Perception |
| "general spirit" | Bilateral reciprocity | Domestic policy function |
| MFN (Art. I) | No tricks with third states | International freedom to contract |
| Non- Discrimination (Art. III) | No tricks with nationality | International "equal protection" |
| Quantitative restrictions (Art. XI) | No tricks at the border | International "due process" |
| Dispute Settlement | Mutually satisfactory solution irrespective of whether or not a rule was broken | Rule – based law enforcement |
| Regime of exceptions | Trade law is deferent to all kinds of "high politics" motives | Legalized, rule based exception regime |