The Doha Round is the most recent round of trade negotiations amongst the 157 WTO members since the 1940s, commenced 2001. This is the first ever round since the adoption of the multilateral approach to trade system. Its envisioned objective is attain reforms in the international trading system by ensuring low trade barriers introduction and trade rules revision and/or writing.
The adopted Doha Round is semi officially known as the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) work programme containing approximately 20 trade areas that are deemed to achieve the set objectives. During these talks, different states either from the core or the periphery have different interests and thus seek to have them addressed in the most viable resolutions.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. Guiding values
2. The Doha Round issues
2.1 Agriculture
2.2 LDCs and NFICDs Special Concerns
2.3 Non-agricultural market access
2.4 Domestic support issue
2.5 Services
2.6 Intellectual Property
2.7 Trade and Development
2.8 Trade and Environment
2.9 WTO Rules
2.10 Accesses to patented medicine
3. Achievements
4. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This paper examines the key concerns and challenges faced by African states during the Doha Round of trade negotiations, particularly in light of their high dependency on agriculture. It investigates how international trade policies and WTO agreements impact the economic development and food security of these nations.
- Impact of agricultural negotiations on African GDP and domestic policies.
- Disparities in market access and domestic support measures between developed and developing nations.
- Concerns of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) regarding trade rules and food aid.
- The influence of intellectual property rights on technological transfer and public health.
- Evaluation of the achievements and the significance of the Doha Development Agenda.
Excerpt from the Book
2.1 Agriculture
Most of the African countries are highly dependent on agriculture, which translates to 75 % as the main source of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Thus it is worth noting that the agreements emanating from the Doha Round would in a way interfere with their main source of income. This in itself was the main fear for the African countries.
The US expectation of the developing countries to have the developing countries make significant reduction in tariffs while limiting the number of import sensitive goods, which originate from the developed countries. Thus real concern of the African states towards the developed countries would be to open up there protected markets for the agricultural goods while at the same substantially reducing the subsidies imposed on the farm goods. This would go a long way towards ensuring that the developing countries reap maximum benefits from the agricultural produce. This would eliminate the unfair agricultural market system that seems to be more favorable to the developed world.
Domestic subsidies was also an issue in these talks, to that extent, there were Green Box exemptions which is known as the Special and Differential Box “S&D Box” were extended to the developing nations. This would help in the formulation of international trade rules.
The greatest of concerns with regard to agriculture as discussed by the African Group and G-33 were rehabilitation of land, conservation of soil and management of resources, drought management and control of floods, employment programmes directed to the rural population, issuance of land title deeds and settlement programmes.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the origins of the Doha Round and its objective to achieve international trade reforms while emphasizing the importance of inclusivity for developing nations.
2. The Doha Round issues: Details the primary areas of contention, focusing on agriculture, market access, subsidies, and the specific socio-economic challenges faced by African states.
3. Achievements: Discusses the outcomes and progress of the Doha Development Agenda negotiations, including the futuristic work plans agreed upon by member states.
4. Conclusion: Summarizes the transition from the Doha Round to subsequent agreements like the Nairobi Package and the Bali Package, highlighting their role in addressing global food security and development.
Keywords
Agriculture, market access, subsidy, developed countries, developing countries, Doha Round, WTO, GDP, trade negotiations, food security, LDCs, trade policy, tariff reduction, intellectual property, Bali Package.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the main concerns of African nations within the World Trade Organization's Doha Round of trade negotiations, specifically regarding the impact of these talks on their economies.
What are the central themes discussed in the text?
The central themes include agricultural reliance, market access disparities, domestic subsidies, the role of LDCs, and the influence of intellectual property on developing nations.
What is the main objective of the author?
The primary goal is to analyze how the Doha Development Agenda affects African states and to determine if international trade policies promote or hinder their economic growth.
Which scientific approach is utilized?
The work employs a descriptive and analytical review of WTO documents, ministerial declarations, and existing trade proposals to evaluate the positions of the African Group.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body examines various negotiation sectors, including agriculture, non-agricultural market access, services, intellectual property, trade and environment, and WTO rules.
Which keywords define this study?
Key terms include Agriculture, market access, subsidy, developed countries, developing countries, and Doha Round.
How do domestic subsidies affect African economies according to the author?
The author argues that current domestic support measures in developed nations penalize African agricultural policy, creating an imbalance and discouraging local exports.
What is the significance of the "Amber Box" mentioned in the text?
The "Amber Box" refers to government food storage practices at controlled prices, which the WTO monitors as it may potentially distort market prices and quantities.
How does the author view the TRIPS agreement?
The author highlights the controversy that TRIPS grants exclusive patent rights to pharmaceutical companies, which hinders poorer countries' access to essential generic medicine for public health.
What is the Nairobi Package in the context of this study?
The Nairobi Package is presented as a significant outcome of the tenth WTO Ministerial Conference, which seeks to address agricultural and development issues affecting the Least Developed Countries.
- Quote paper
- BSc. BIT MA (ICM) Nangira Namano (Author), 2017, African issues in the Doha Round negotiations, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/423481
