Thread by @CoppetainPU

As always, a useful post from @xAlan_Matthews

On two points I beg to differ. Alan is not alone in believing agreement is possible on “public stockholding” and special safeguard mechanism by the year-end ministerial conference. …

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https://twitter.com/xAlan_Matthews/status/1368343566980943877

None other than new WTO head @NOIweala also said it in last week’s General Council: “On Agriculture, let us identify a few things we can deliver such as PSH [“public stockholding”], SSM [special safeguard mechanism] …”

Who am I go disagree?

wto.org/english/news_e…

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1. “Stockholding” is really about buying at govt-subsidised prices, ie domestic support

India does it for rice and wheat, major Indian exports

Movement is unlikely until India recognises the possible impact on world markets. Otherwise, no deal

See: tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2020/08/24/rhe…

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2. It’s true that members have agreed there should be new safeguards (SSM) for developing countries, but ONLY as part of an overall market access deal, not stand-alone

It’s misleading to say only rich countries can use the existing safeguard (SSG)

tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2020/08/30/rhe…

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Developing countries opted out of the special safeguard—SSG—preferring very high tariffs instead. A new safeguard—SSM—is unlikely to be agreed…

1. if it allows tariffs to go even higher
2. unless those very high tariff entitlements come down too

tradebetablog.wordpress.com/2020/08/30/rhe…

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