Protectionism Block Seen as Doha Benefit

In a workshop on recent analyses of Doha attended by leading trade economists at the invitation of the World Trade Organization, a block on protectionism and its corresponding increases in tariffs was seen as potentially the biggest benefit from Doha’s efforts to free up world trade.

The workshop was aimed at reminding negotiators of the stakes in keeping the world economy moving forward, according to a Reuters report on Tuesday, and quantifying the now-nine-year-old Doha effort was seen as “extremely difficult.” But economists also said that the so far modest gains from current agreements could be improved, if those services accounting for 80% of rich economies and increasing shares of developing economies could be opened up by negotiators.

David Laborde, a researcher at Washington's International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), said that many states engaged in restrictions during the food crisis of 2008, and that Doha represented an insurance policy against increased protectionism and its associated costs resulting from failed negotiations.