Book Review: Agricultural Domestic Support Under the WTO

Agriculture in the developed world has historically benefited from government support in the form of subsidies, price controls, trade protection, and other policies. These result from a political process that balances both domestic and international concerns. Since the creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO), agricultural policy in WTO- member countries has been subject to discipline by WTO regulation. Domestic agricultural policies can and do come into conflict with the WTO's goal of open trade for the benefit of all. This conflict and the resulting interaction between WTO rules and domestic support in agriculture are the topic of Lars Brink and David Orden's recent book, Agricultural Domestic Support Under the WTO. Proponents of open trade have been on the back foot in recent years. The WTO has gained mistaken notoriety as either a US- directed interest or, alternatively, a supranational organization that undermines US sovereignty. Although Brink and Orden do not intend to address those beliefs directly, the book makes obvious that neither belief is accurate. Readers unfamiliar with the details of WTO regulation may find it surprising just how flexible are the WTO rules for agriculture and how limited it is in settling disputes or enforcing rulings. Equally remarkable is the lack of progress in making substantive changes to WTO regulations for agriculture over the past 20 years.