The breakdown of the Doha round of trade talks on agricultural trade is unsurprising, but still disappointing. Neither the US nor the EU is really willing to give substantial ground. In the case of the US, the option of negotiating one-sided bilateral deals like the US-Australia FTA seems much more appealing.
Indeed, not surprising. The ideas of ‘globalisation’ and military conflict are not obviously compatible.
Aren’t bilateral trade agreements effectively a new form of protectionism? Like the pre-war trade blocs?
There appears to be moves towards an Australian meeting to try and rescue at least a partial reform.
Of more concern is the ongoing high level of tariffs on Australian inter-household trade.