Assessing Prospective Trade Policy

This book examines economic partnership agreements between the EU and ACP regions, focusing on their impacts and future negotiation strategies. Assessing Prospective Trade Policy offers valuable insights.

This volume provides a comprehensive analysis of economic partnership agreements between the EU and regions such as Africa, the Caribbean, and the Pacific. It delves into specific concerns that arise from these agreements, including legal commitments, adjustment costs, impacts on poverty and food security, and necessary regulatory reforms. By focusing on these critical areas, the book aims to shed light on the complexities and implications of trade policies on vulnerable populations.

Assessing Prospective Trade Policy highlights the historical context of trade preferences granted by the European Union (EU) to former colonies within the African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) regions since 1975. However, these preferences have often been found to be of limited value and incompatible with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. To address these challenges, economic partnership agreements (EPAs) were established, allowing the EU and regional ACP groupings to offer reciprocal trade preferences. This volume not only evaluates the implications of EPAs for ACP countries but also provides valuable guidance for negotiators in future discussions.

In addition to offering overviews of the content and processes involved in EPAs, the book presents estimates of their impacts on various ACP countries. It evaluates how these agreements can contribute to development while addressing specific negotiating concerns. By doing so, Assessing Prospective Trade Policy serves as a crucial resource for understanding the multifaceted nature of trade reforms and their potential benefits and challenges for ACP nations.