Truth or Consequences

Why the EU and the US must reform their subsidies or pay the price

Briefing Paper

Published: Nov 30, 2005

Publication Summary

The USA and the EU are currently blocking a deal to make trade fair in the Doha Development Round. In the wake of findings by the WTO that US cotton subsidies and EU sugar subsidies are illegal, this paper presents powerful new research detailing a slew of other rich country subsidies of $13bn that are also on the wrong side of the law. In addition to the strong moral imperative for the trade superpowers to radically reform the way they subsidise agriculture, there is a also a legal requirement for change. The choice lies with the USA and the EU: either they face manifold legal actions that will force reform on a piecemeal basis, or they negotiate reform upfront in the Doha trade round.

 

Truth or consequences: Why the EU and the USA must reform their subsidies, or pay the price (293.6 kB)
Document Actions
Questions?

Students and researchers

Please contact research@oxfamamerica.org with questions and for help with any Oxfam research materials.

General inquiries

If you have a question or comment about any other Oxfam America publication, or would like to submit a letter to the Editor of OXFAMExchange Magazine, please contact editor@oxfamamerica.org.