WTO under (over) the table*
Well, there´s much fuss going on about agricultural subsidies and we have to move on with other questions... But the point is that industrial and service markets issue has to be solved, special and differentiated treatment agreement has to be reached, and other questions concerning NAMA… There is no way Less Developed Countries economies can compete in global trade with the barriers that are lifted… (and so on, and so on, he kept talking...)
For sure, but Mr. T. I. (Japanese researcher for fair global trade), what do you think of the Japanese stance on the tariffs for agricultural products?
Oh, under the WTO, many countries are raising that issue, cause Japan has the highest tariffs in agricultural products…
Then people tend to think of Japan as mainly industrial and don´t understand…
But we only have high tariffs for special products such as rice, that are realy high tariffs, like 750 %...
This happens because we see the question in terms of food security – If there´s a war, no country, like India or China, will provide rice for japan… and still, we are now 60% dependent on imports…
On the other hand, we see this as a multifunctional sector… It´s got to do with preservation of a cultural heritage – the mountain farmers´ activities – and also environmental concern… As you see, our agriculture of rice is made in terraces up on the mountains that prevent erosion and floods on the cities whenever there is a typhoon….
But, most of all, the really most compelling argument,... is that we are not able to make sushi out of Indian or Chinese rice!! The whole thing falls apart...
* in Borba veritas.
For sure, but Mr. T. I. (Japanese researcher for fair global trade), what do you think of the Japanese stance on the tariffs for agricultural products?
Oh, under the WTO, many countries are raising that issue, cause Japan has the highest tariffs in agricultural products…
Then people tend to think of Japan as mainly industrial and don´t understand…
But we only have high tariffs for special products such as rice, that are realy high tariffs, like 750 %...
This happens because we see the question in terms of food security – If there´s a war, no country, like India or China, will provide rice for japan… and still, we are now 60% dependent on imports…
On the other hand, we see this as a multifunctional sector… It´s got to do with preservation of a cultural heritage – the mountain farmers´ activities – and also environmental concern… As you see, our agriculture of rice is made in terraces up on the mountains that prevent erosion and floods on the cities whenever there is a typhoon….
But, most of all, the really most compelling argument,... is that we are not able to make sushi out of Indian or Chinese rice!! The whole thing falls apart...
* in Borba veritas.
disse MC at 2:58 da tarde
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