Agricultural trade liberalization may harm developing countries, new study finds.
Agricultural trade liberalization will have uneven effects on developing countries. While some may benefit, many are likely to suffer negative consequences. The current focus on tariff issues may not address the main obstacles faced by the poorest countries, such as non-tariff barriers like sanitary and phytosanitary standards. These barriers, set by the private sector, are not adequately addressed in current trade agreements. While multilateral liberalization is important, specific measures are needed to address these challenges and ensure fair trade for all countries.