Looking For the Devil in the Doha Agricultural Negotiations

With the prospects for an ambitious outcome in the Doha Round of trade negotiations seemingly fading, many are lamenting the welfare gains that would be lost from a superficial agreement while others are asking whether it matters for the world's poorest and, if so, how. Estimates of welfare gains from trade vary widely but, in fact, key areas of convergence can be identified. Capturing those gains, however, requires paying attention to the details, especially in the negotiations on agriculture. This brief attempts to clarify what is at stake for developing countries and points to specific negotiating priorities that would help to ensure that developing countries achieve increased market access.