RES: [lbo-talk] Henwood: Collapse in Cancun

[Alexandre Fenelon]

Good article, Doug, but I think there are many other aspects that aren´t
being taken
into account, even by NGO´s and G-20. We know that there is a secular trend
of
devaluation of agricultural commodities in relation to industrialized goods
(not
to mention services and high tech goods). What the Third world countries are
asking for is liberalization in agricultural trade in exchange for overall
trade liberalization. In other words, we are begging for colony status,and
the
rich countries want even to deny this status to us. So I see no point in
that
demands. No country has ever reached development by exporting agricultural
commodities, and withouth protecting local industries. Furthermore, a
overall
trade liberalization could led to further depression of agricultural
commodities
prices, since many countries will attempt to increase export oriented
agricultural
commodities in order to obtain hard currency, thise would even worsen terms
of
trade between rich and poor countries. And more, for strategic reasons, the
rich countries will never lift agricultural subsidies. This would led their
agriculture to complete collapse (even the US one) and to a situation of
external dependency on foreign countries to feed their own peoples. In other
words, all this dicussion is pointless. We have on interest in any kind of
trade liberalization. Let the rich countries defend their own agriculture
while we will protect our industry and services. This is a better
arrangement.

                                           Alexandre Fenelon

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