Agriculture subsidies part of the problem

One of the questions we get asked is what about the future of poor countries in Africa and Asia.

The answer is that advanced nations have to give up domestic subsidies and allow these countries to import food and other agricultural products.  The U.S., for example, spends more money keeping African cotton out of the US than it spends in foreign aid to Africa.

So here's a victory of sorts.  The US lost its argument with the World Trade Organization and faces penalties (now or later). Here's the story. It's good news for impoverished farmers in the undeveloped world.

Comments

[Stephen Downes]

The U.S. has a history of ignoring the WTO when it rules against them. I see no reason to expect different here.