GEOG 216 Lecture Notes - World Trade Organization, Doha Development Round, Comparative Advantage
5 Dec 2012
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Document Summary
Eu and us told to cut back export subsidies that allow surplus to be dumped elsewhere. *when negotiating, they usually end up in geneva which is too expensive for some countries. Developing countries are now the majority of wto members. Their subsistence farmers are often entirely dependent on agricultural incomes from a few select cash crops. Oecd countries are most protectionist in products where low income countries currently have a comparative advantage. Oecd agriculture subsidies encourage increases in production and exports of subsidized commodities drives down the world market prices. 30-40% of overall export revenues in parts of west africa. Rich country subsidies to cotton farmers is 6 times their development aid. West african farmers produce a kilo of cotton 50% cheaper than competitors. Give the least developed countries open access to high income country markets for most goods. Key disagreements: us demands significant increases in market access, eu and eics demand larger reductions in us trade-distorting agricultural supports.
