The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY) | September 18, 2003
It was disappointing to see the world trade talks break down Sunday in Cancun, Mexico. The issues of agriculture and subsidies that benefit wealthy nations at the expense of poorer ones proved too contentious to solve at this most recent meeting.
Agricultural subsidies are the key hurdle. Developing nations say the $300 billion paid every year to the world's wealthiest farmers ensures the suffering of millions of poor farmers around the world. One example cited by critics is how subsidies to U.S. cotton farmers have forced the price of West African cotton to a 30-year low. They point also to the European Union, which has refused to accept the complete elimination of export subsidies, despite agreeing in 2001 at the start of the talks to "reductions of, with a view to phasing out, all forms of export subsidies."
Delegates from Africa, the Caribbean and Asia saw the proposed compromises on agriculture by wealthy nations as too thin and vague. And so they walked out, making it doubtful the World Trade Organization's Doha round of trade negotiations will be completed on schedule, by the end of next year.
They must be brought back to the table with something they can work with - real compromises that make a difference. Reaching agreement can mean the expansion of markets that some economists believe will inject hundreds of billions of dollars into international commercial activity.
"What we're seeing is more of the same failed approach to trade - where the U.S. and European Union get to continue dumping agricultural products onto the world market," said Mark Ritchie, president of the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy, an advocacy group based in Washington, D.C. "This will simply intensify the global commodity crisis that is crushing farmers around the world."
Failure hurts poor nations the most. Only a return to the table and real commitment can make everyone a winner.The Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY):
