Why it won't be like this all the time: the shift from duopoly to oligopoly in agricultural trade

Abstract

Agricultural trade remains highly politicised and securing agreement on further change is one of the most critical and difficult tasks in the Doha Round. There has been a shift from a EU-US power duopoly in the Uruguay Round to an oligopolistic form of decision-making that incorporates the G-20 representing emerging countries. Market access has been the most difficult issue to resolve and internal opposition to a settlement is growing in the US and EU. Nevertheless, a settlement is still achievable, but not at Hong Kong