"This book describes and analyzes the attempts that were made to make trade in agriculture less distorted, more stable and predictable, and less of a dangerous source of political friction between nations, in successive rounds of negotiations under the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade in the 45-year period from GATT's inception in 1947 to the end of the Uruguay Round in 1993. While the book analyzes the development of international trade policy throughout the postwar period, particular attention is given to the Kennedy, Tokyo and Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations in which the problems of trade in agricultural products were confronted." "For each round, the positions of major participants in international arrangements that should govern trade in agriculture, the contending proposals, and the results of the negotiations are explained and analyzed. However, the specific issues and positions on agricultural trade are set in the broader context of changing international political relations, developments in the international and national economies, the conditions in international food markets, and the evolution of 'domestic' agricultural policies in the major countries and regional groupings."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Agricultural trade is a major factor determining food security in Caribbean countries. In these small open economies, exports are essential, whilst imports provide a large part of the food supply. This book examines various dimensions of trade policy and related issues and suggests policies to address trade and food security and rural development linkages. It is as a guide and reference documents for agricultural trade policy analysts, trade negotiators, policy-makers and planners in both the public and private sectors.

The book explores the impact of recent WTO accession experiences on the development of the multilateral trading system.

The role of trade in promoting international development is becoming increasingly important in our globalised world, and the global trading system has the potential to help the world's poor if trading inequities can be remedied. This publication examines the key trade issues relevant to the ongoing multilateral trade negotiations and the evolution of the world trading system as a means to address barriers to growth in developing countries, focusing on the Doha Round. Issues discussed include: potential gains from trade liberalisation for developed and developing countries; reforming trade in agriculture as a key to the success of the Doha Round; markets for manufacturing and services; trade facilitation, TRIPs and the regulatory agenda; the role of regional trade agreements; and issues of aid for trade, in order to help low-income countries develop the infrastructure needed to participate in the global economy and benefit from new market opportunities.

Argues that prosperity has rarely, if ever, been achieved or sustained without trade. Trade alone, however, is not enough; policies targeting employment, education, health and other issues are also needed to promote well-being and tackle the challenges of a globalised economy.

Despite its widely acknowledged contribution to global prosperity over the past half century, the movement toward further liberalization has increasingly been challenged. This collection of essays examine several key issues at the heart of the debate over the multilateral trading system.