1.   While the U.S. government now begrudges Argentina even five years to make sweeping changes in its laws, the U.S. textile and agricultural industries enjoy similar transition periods.

2.   Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries, which also have significant electronics export markets, are demanding longer transition periods for phasing out tariffs.

3.   Many were worried the money would no longer be valid, although the euro-zone countries have varying transition periods.

4.   Some EU members have said they will apply transition periods of several years before they allow East Europeans to move and work in their countries after EU expansion.

5.   Sweden perceives that there is a need for transition periods, but not very long ones, said Hjelm-Wallen.