Comments on: Pascal Lamy, the catalyst

By: JMA

JMA — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 12:41:05 +0000

Thanks, Victor and Domingos, for your comments. Part of the problem, of course, is that farmers in rich countries are put in a win-loose situation by the WTO negotiations, i.e., they will not gain directly by market access for industrial goods of very developed countries. Hence, successful EU and national policies for “adaptation” of agriculture (meaning tranformation) are as important as subsidies cuts.

Latest news is that Peter Mandelson is ready to conclude bilateral agreements with countries specially in Asia (China, Korea, Thailand), whether WTO talks fail or not. It is a badly timed announcement for the credibility of WTO negotiations. Plus, negotiations for bilateral trade or regional agreements are always second best solutions to global arrangements.

By: Domingos Cruz

Domingos Cruz — Tue, 11 Jul 2006 12:08:46 +0000

I could not agree more. The fact that developed countries insist in protecting agriculture is a sign of “near-sight”. Governemnts are more preocupied with the next elections and with the array of public demonstrations of farmers than with the development of world economy (Farmers astonishingly enough still have electorate simpathy).

Is the old “carrot and stick”, if we do not give developing countries a natural and obvious source of income how can we have legitimacy to ask for anything concerning industry?

Europe should set the example.

By: Víctor Torre-Silva

Víctor Torre-Silva — Mon, 10 Jul 2006 11:27:47 +0000

I hope the Doha round of the trade negotiations will end up with an agreement to lower tariffs. It is not just a matter of technicalities: it is a matter of justice. Simply it is not fair to block agricultural exports from Second and Thrird World countries to the richer part of the world. Let them compete! Let them participate in the markets without restrictive state measures!

I think the European Union ought to lower its tariffs on agricultural imports, even if no agreement is reached within the WTO. It will benefit European consumers, for international prices are normally lower than European ones. It will also help to curb inflation. Even if European agriculture suffers from it, it will be an incentive to focus on those products in which Europe has a competitive advantage.

For the well-being of the rural areas of the poorer part of the world, and for the well-being of Europeans as well, put down the tariffs!