Ashish's Niti says Poorer Countries should take advantage of Farm Subsidies by Rich Nations:
Third-world countries always protest against huge agricultural subsidies given by rich nations like US, Europe etc. They charge that subsidies are causing prices of farm products to drop, causing farmers in poorer countries to loose their livelihood. Without a hint of irony they cite these subisidies as example of exploitation by rich countries! These countries then go about erecting trade barriers against agricultural imports in the name of protecting their farmers. Given the fact that people in the poor countries are dying of hunger and malnourishment these protests against "cheap" imports do not make any sense.Posted by Simon at August 17, 2004 10:17 AMSince, farm subsidies make farm products cheaper, poorer countries should welcome them. Poor countries should remove all import barriers against subsidized farm products without waiting for WTO negotiations. Subsidized farm products will reduce poverty and malnourishment and thus they should thank rich countries for the subsidies as they represent net transfer of wealth from tax payers in rich country to the poorest people in poorer countries...
Ok, that makes literally no sense whatsoever.
So you're saying instead of producing food for themselves, poor countries should buy cheap produce from rich countries?
Right
And where exactly is the money coming from to buy such produce? And how is it helping the economy of the poorer country?
"net transfer of wealth from tax payers in rich country to the poorest people in poorer countries..." - Are you serious? How is there any transfer here at all, other than robbing the poor country of the ability to produce food and make money.
Take a good look at Jamaica my friend, and tell me that they are benefitting from US subsidized farming.
Posted by: Oorgo at August 19, 2004 12:29 AM