EBA scheme could reshape EU trade policies for developing countries
The EU's Everything But Arms (EBA) scheme, which allows duty-free exports from 50 least developed countries to the EU, did not have a significant impact on Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform, except for sugar and rice. The small volume of exports from these countries in CAP products didn't cause market issues. However, EBA could influence future CAP reform through negotiations with African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries. ACP countries might use EBA as a model to request similar treatment for their exports in exchange for opening their markets to EU products. Extending preferential access to non-LDC ACP countries for CAP products could have a bigger impact on CAP due to their larger supply capacity.