Dispelling Some Misconceptions about Agricultural Trade Liberalization
澄清了关于农业贸易自由化影响的常见误解，指出农业补贴规模被夸大、关税比补贴更具扭曲性，以及关税削减不会因优惠侵蚀而严重损害发展中国家。
There has been a great deal of public discussion over the impact that agricultural trade liberalization would likely have, especially on low-income countries. Unfortunately, the public discussion has been characterized by a number of misconceptions. This paper provides a clarifying discussion of the issues involved. Among the key points addressed are 1) agricultural “subsidies” are not nearly as large as has been portrayed; 2) tariffs are actually far more distortionary than subsidies and some low-income countries actually benefit from rich country subsides; and 3) widespread tariff reductions will not inflict large damage on developing countries as a result of preference erosion. The case for removing agricultural trade barriers remains compelling, even without the exaggerations and misconceptions.