Echanges commerciaux de produits agricoles : conflits et compromis

The open and rule-oriented world agricultural trading system is deteriorating due to the recession and its embodied weaknesses. The patterns of trade flows are mainly influenced by state policies and the Kennedy Round and Tokyo Round Negotiations have failed to make agricultural trade more liberal. Both GATT and OECD Secretariats are carrying studies that may clarify the issues for future negotiations. The current pressure for change comes from US discontent with its world agricultural trade and the EC policy is caught under fire. The types of measure able to alleviate the disputes and help solving some of the Agricultural trade problems are reviewed. The agricultural economics profession should feel concerned with developping analyses, theoretical and empirical, so that negotiators are better informed. National policies are most important for agricultural trade and domestic farm programs need to be scrutinized.