Global trade reform and the Doha development agenda

Abstract

While the negotiations on the Doha Development Agenda (DDA) have been proceeding for over three years, there remains considerable uncertainty about what will be achieved. While there is interest in the substantial potential gains from reform, there is concern in many quarters about the potential adverse impact on protected sectors, and about potential collateral impact on net-food-importing countries and those countries heavily reliant on trade preferences. While some important progress was made in July-August 2004 with the adoption of a Doha Work Programme (DWP), there is much uncertainty about how it will be implemented (WTO 2004).