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Commonwealth Secretariat press release

Commonwealth Secretary-General slams US Farm Bill

14 May 2002

"The recently announced US Farm Bill makes a farce of the commitments for trade liberalisation reached in Doha and undermines the prospects of developing countries trading their way out of poverty," said the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Don McKinnon today. "How can poor countries believe in the benefits of globalisation when they see the rich countries bending the rules in their own favour?" he added.

The Secretary-General pointed out that the World Trade Organisation meeting in Doha last November offered the prospect of a strong development dimension in the current round of trade negotiations. New aid commitments made at the International Conference on Financing for Development in Monterrey and talk of lowering trade barriers in such crucial areas as textiles and agriculture also sent positive signals that things were about to change.

Mr McKinnon said that by raising the level of federal subsidies by 80%, the US will send a very negative message to developing countries. "As President Bush himself said in Monterrey: 'Developing nations need greater access to markets of wealthy nations.' The US Farm Bill contradicts this statement and threatens to negate the progress made over the last few months. Preaching trade liberalisation to others while practising protectionism for yourself is not only pure hypocrisy; it smacks of indifference to the poorest people on the planet."

The Secretary-General added: "Raising trade subsidies undermines poor countries' confidence in international trade, and, ultimately, threatens world stability. As the only economic and military superpower today, the United States should provide positive leadership on these issues. If we want a more secure world, we must help create a more inclusive international trading system."

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