EPAs and the Doha Round: development or discontent

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to seek to critically look at the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and Word Trade Organization Doha Round of negotiations, and their substantive outcomes on the main trade issues with a view to assessing their development content, nature and impact so far.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper will carry out that purpose by reviewing EPAs and Doha Round's original mandates on development and benchmarking the outcomes thereof against the “new development economics” imperatives and the assertion that trade policy has to truly foster development and progressively realize the right to development in a sustainable manner.

Findings

The main findings of the paper are that the two negotiating processes are failing to meet the development expectations and objectives set out in their respective mandates or put in place suitable trade policy options to ensure sustainable development. The processes are in fact mainly driven by commercial as opposed to developmental interest and tend to impede rather than promote both global and regional intergration of developing countries.

Originality/value

In making a conclusion, the paper posits some practical and conceptual suggestions to trade policy makers and negotiators with a view to operationalise and inform a paradigm shift in global trade relations and the concomitant machineries that have hitherto focused mainly on market access and commercial interest; to one underpinned by new development economics imperatives and the right to development as the principal benchmarks of trade policy.

Citation

Senona, J.M. (2009), "EPAs and the Doha Round: development or discontent", Journal of International Trade Law and Policy, Vol. 8 No. 1, pp. 60-83. https://doi.org/10.1108/14770020910959619