Rich nations cheated developing countries: WTO Doha round

[Bhaisahab]

DAWN, PAKISTAN: http://www.dawn.com/2006/06/12/top17.htm

Rich nations cheated developing countries: WTO Doha round
By Our Reporter

ISLAMABAD, June 11: Rich countries led by the United States have cheated the developing countries under the garb of the Doha Development Round of WTO.

This was stated by head of the trade justice campaign, Actionaid Pakistan, Mustafa Talpur at a press conference here on Sunday.

“The entire negotiation process of multilateral trading system has become hostage to the US Congress and rushing towards US fast-track authority — a power with the US president to approve any deal without seeking the consent of the Congress,” he stated.

He said developing countries like Pakistan were the net losers in this process. During the Cancun WTO ministerial, the World Bank had estimated economic gains of $520 billion, of which $350 billion would accrue to the developing countries, lifting 140 million people out of poverty.

The recent bank study shows that under a most likely Doha scenario, the gains would be just $96 billion; $80 billion (some 85 percent) of the gains would now go to the developed countries.

He said this scenario was mirrored by a study by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace which predicted an increase in the world income of $40-60 billion. But this gain is very unevenly distributed. Similarly, UN studies predict the developing countries will lose $63 billion in revenue.

The Doha round promised to substantially reduce agriculture subsidies of rich countries and provide significant mechanism to developing countries for protection of their agriculture. Instead of reducing the subsidies, rich nations increased it from $243 billion in 1986-88 to $279 in 2004.

CONTINUED AT LINK ABOVE

[Kutjara]

1. Show of hands, who's suprised?

Nobody? Didn't think so.

[Judi Lynn]

2. So damned sad, and completely predictable. The "Good Samaritan"

approach, isn't it? My god. From the article:

Under the proposed formulas, developing countries will still have to make dramatic cuts to their import duties, permitting a massive increase in market penetration by northern agribusiness. Rich nations are forcing developing countries to open up industrial and service sectors.

Under these proposals, many developing countries will have to make deep cuts in industrial tariff. These reductions will destroy the local industrial base and cause mass unemployment and revenue losses. The emerging Pakistani industries like footwear, electronics, leather, sports and surgical items will be affected.

He said the European Union’s push for intensive services liberalisation will cause privatization of basic services including water, health, education as well as strategic sectors like banking, engineering and distributional services.

The services proposals, if agreed, will further reduce the role of the state in protecting the fundamental rights of the citizens. This will further widen the rich-poor gap and generates poverty rather alleviating it.
(snip)

No wonder _Bush started hiding from the public so very long ago. He can't face us. He's afraid to see how much disgust, repulsion he generates.

[papau]

3. Our subsidized farms destroyed Mexico's farms forcing "illegals" across

the border.

Karma is a bitch.

[depakid]

9. Try telling that to the xenophobically inclined

a good many of whom probably suppported these so called "free" trade policies.

Isn't true though- Republicans and DLC type Dems ALWAYS cry the loudest when their own ignorance turns round and bites them.

[Paulie]

4. Nice to know during these troubling times...

the Economic Hit Men still have jobs.

:sarcasm:

[1932]

5. I think if these trade agreements were put up to a democratic vote

most Americans would object to them under the principle that we want the rest of the world to have the same opportunities that we imagine we have.

And I think if you break down farther who benefits from these trade agreements, you find that the billions accrue to already wealthy people in developing countries who use their increased economic power to increase their political power which ensures that the democratic will of Americans is not expressed...

[jwirr]

7. Yes, but every time we talk about abolishing trade agreements

we are called Isolationist. We used to have global trade without these damn "afta" treaties, why can't we go back to that without being isolationist?

[1932]

8. We can have treaties, but they should protect labor and environment

and not be a rush to the bottom.

[Rose Siding]

6. K&R