Home

subsidies

Whose to Blame: Government Policies or Free Trade?

Posted on February 12, 2008 by Leah Hazard
Topics: Trade, Agriculture
Countries: Mexico

Today, Business Week takes a look at how Mexico is benefiting under Nafta -- but why the free trade agreement hasn't solved all of Mexico's economic woes.

There's no question that the country has benefited greatly from Nafta: Mexico has become the world's 15th-largest exporter, sending abroad $272 billion of merchandise in 2007 ($43 billion of which was oil). It transformed a $3 billion trade deficit with the U.S. in 1993 into a $75 billion surplus in 2007. Mexico went on to sign free-trade agreements with 41 other countries, attracting some $223 billion of foreign investment in 15 years.

So, why did tens of thousands of angry Mexican farmers take to the streets in late January, demanding that Nafta be renegotiated? Because after a decade and a half of free trade, Mexico's economic transformation is incomplete, and many Mexicans are blaming Nafta for a plethora of problems that have more to do with bad government policies than with free trade.

Keywords: subsidies, Nafta

From the Archives

Free Trade Vs. Small Farmers

Posted on May 14, 2007
Previously filed under: Asia, Agriculture
Small farmers are the key in the debate surrounding agricultural subsidies, the issue which has long stalled the Doha Round of WTO talks.
Keywords: free trade, agriculture, World Trade Organization, subsidies, farmers

From the Archives

Sahelian Cotton Farmers on Their Knees

Posted on January 17, 2007
Previously filed under: Africa, Trade
The cotton market in Burkina Faso and other African countries has faltered considerably in the last few years forcing farmers and companies to search for alternatives.
Keywords: West, wages, US, UN, trade, subsidies, poverty, cotton, Burkina Faso

From the Archives

Middle School Lesson Plans: Trade

Posted on September 7, 2006
Previously filed under: Europe and Middle East, Lesson Plans
These resources are appropriate for grade levels 6th, 7th and 8th.
Keywords: middle school, lesson plans, trade, tarrifs, subsidies, pirates, farms

From the Archives

Elementary School Lesson Plans: Trade

Posted on September 7, 2006
Previously filed under: North America, Grades 3-5
These resources are appropriate for grade levels 3rd, 4th and 5th.
Keywords: elementary school, lesson plans, trade, tarrifs, subsidies, pirates, farms

From the Archives

Primary School Lesson Plans: Trade

Posted on September 7, 2006
Previously filed under: North America, Grades K-2
These resources are appropriate for grade levels Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd.
Keywords: Primary School, lesson plans, trade, tarrifs, subsidies, pirates, farms

From the Archives

Heartland Farmers Visit West Africa

Posted on September 1, 2006
Previously filed under: Trade
Farmers from America's Heartland travel to Africa to explore the impact of agricultural subsidies.
Keywords: farming, subsidies, tarriffs, trade, agriculture

From the Archives

Africa's Bitter Harvest

Posted on September 1, 2006
Previously filed under: Trade
Are farmers in developing nations getting fleeced?
Keywords: subsidies, tarriffs, trade, protectionism, cotton

From the Archives

Protectionism - Tariffs, Subsidies, and Trade Policy

Posted on August 30, 2006
Previously filed under: Trade
Stephen Spruiell explains the impact of protectionist policy, tarriffs, and subsidies on global trade.
Keywords: protectionism, trade, subsidies, tarriffs, policy

From the Archives

Farming Future - A New World, But Not So Brave

Posted on August 23, 2006
Previously filed under: Europe and Middle East, Trade
What would farming in the North look like if subsidies were cut?
Keywords: farming, subsidy, subsidies, tarrifs, trade

From the Archives

Economic Patriotism - Blind Alley in a Globalized World?

Posted on August 18, 2006
Previously filed under: Global Economy
Nations protecting favorite industries only postpones inevitable and occasionally helpful changes.
Keywords: Multinational, trade, subsidies, tarrifs, nationalism, patriotism

From the Archives

Why We'll Have to Wait for a Sip of Zambian Coffee

Posted on August 17, 2006
Previously filed under: Africa, Trade
Trade barriers can frustrate the efforts of even the most entrepreneurial of developing country producers to add value to their crops.
Keywords: coffee, trade, tarriffs, protectionism, subsidies

From the Archives

No Globalization, Please - We Are French!

Posted on April 7, 2006
Countries: France
Previously filed under: Europe and Middle East, General Globalization
Populist posturing comes head to head with Chirac's stealth globalization.
Keywords: subsidies, poverty, globalization, free trade, fair trade, Europe

Breaking News
Subscribe

Zimbabwe: Irony of Rich Farmers Without Cash

All Africa - Fri, 05/16/2008 - 13:16
ZIMBABWE'S tobacco farmers are having cash problems. They have so much money in their pockets, but cannot buy what they need because it is in the form of cheques.

Ghana: Fisheries Act Forbids Foreign Vessels From Fishing

All Africa - Fri, 05/16/2008 - 12:22
The Ministry of Fisheries has denied allegations by a group, called the Joint Action Against Pair Trawling (JAAPT) that foreign vessels have invaded Ghana's fishing industry and all vessels plying the coastal areas of the country are engaged in pair trawling activities. It says the allegations are simply untrue.

Surplus Rice in Japan 'Could End Rice Crisis'

OneWorld Daily Headlines - Fri, 05/16/2008 - 19:44
Selling excess rice held in Japan and imported from the United States would incite a rapid drop in the global price of rice but requires immediate action from Tokyo and Washington, write former editor of The Rice Trader, Tom Slayton, and policy analyst, Peter Timmer.

Half in Ten

OneWorld Daily Headlines - Fri, 05/16/2008 - 19:44
Four prominent American social justice groups are launching a campaign to halve poverty in the United States in 10 years.

Myanmar Farmers May Miss Harvest

New York Times - Thu, 05/15/2008 - 21:34
The timing of Cyclone Nargis, which disrupted farmers as they were preparing to plant, could not have been worse.

See all Breaking News >

Recent comments

Countries

An initiative of Mercy Corps
“You must be the change
you wish to see in the world”
— Mahatma Gandhi
Learn more about Mercy Corps >

Efficiency

Over the last five years, more than 89% of Mercy Corps' resources have been allocated directly to programs

Excellence

Mercy Corps is a Charity Navigator 4-star charity.

Click to view our rating from America's premier charity evaluator.

High Value

Every dollar you donate to Mercy Corps helps us secure $20.89 in donated food and other critical supplies.

Mercy Corps — Dept. W — 3015 SW First Ave — Portland, OR 97201
 All original content Copyright © 2008 Mercy Corps. Quoted and linked content is property of the creator(s). Mercy Corps will not sell, rent or trade your personal information.