Is it not typical that a number of developing countries, which in terms of income barely rise above the ranks of the very poorest, remain excluded from this European measure?
And is it not distressing that so far only very few other wealthy trading powers have followed Europe's initiative?
Where, for instance, is the United States? For it seems to be increasingly absent from globalisation issues. In fact, it recently introduced import duties on steel and increased agricultural and textile subsidies.
And is it not distressing that so far only very few other wealthy trading powers have followed Europe's initiative?
Where, for instance, is the United States? For it seems to be increasingly absent from globalisation issues. In fact, it recently introduced import duties on steel and increased agricultural and textile subsidies.
We must do more. Agriculture is the key. In developing countries up to 70 percent of the population make their living from agriculture. In the rich North the figure is seldom more than five percent. Billions of people depend on agriculture to survive, and yet the OECD countries still levy import duties on agricultural products averaging forty percent.
It just so happens that forty percent was the average tariff on industrial goods applied in the middle of the last century, when there was virtually no free trade. The current average is five percent.
It just so happens that forty percent was the average tariff on industrial goods applied in the middle of the last century, when there was virtually no free trade. The current average is five percent.
But there is more. Subsidies, which at the time helped Europe to eliminate its own food shortage, are today driving farmers in developing countries off their land.
Sugar produced in Europe costs twice as much as sugar produced in South Africa, but it is European sugar that is pushing out local sugar in that country. Imported European powdered milk has led to a one-third drop in milk production in Jamaica over the past five years. European fishermen receive so much support that they can take their modern fleets and clear out the increasingly depleted fishing grounds off the African coast.
Sugar produced in Europe costs twice as much as sugar produced in South Africa, but it is European sugar that is pushing out local sugar in that country. Imported European powdered milk has led to a one-third drop in milk production in Jamaica over the past five years. European fishermen receive so much support that they can take their modern fleets and clear out the increasingly depleted fishing grounds off the African coast.