Doha: a dangerous numbers game
2007
J. Purugganan
With all the attention on reducing tariffs for developing countries, what has happened to the development goals of the Doha Round? This article outlines the measures that the US and other developed countries are pushing for in relation to agricultural and non-agricultural tariff reductions, and considers the likely effects on the economies of the Philippines and other developing countries in agricultural, fisheries and manufacturing industries.Key points from the article include:the US is refusing to reduce its agricultural subsidies, yet at the same time is resisting efforts by developing countries to protect their own agricultural industries with tariffs93% of total US domestic supports only go to five crops - corn, rice, soya, cotton and wheat - the same crops for which the US seeks tariff reductionsproposed reductions in tariffs in industries such as car manufacturing will lead to large job losses in developing countriesthe measures proposed by developed countries will likely lead to very significant reductions in tariff revenues for developing countries such as the PhilippinesThe article concludes that the proposals being put forward by developed countries will not contribute to development in countries such as the Philippines.
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