The Possible Impact of China's WTO Membership on the WTO Agricultural Negotiations

Abstract

Given China's impending membership of the WTO, this paper makes a first attempt to predict China's negotiating strategy in the current agricultural trade negotiations in the light of its food policy objectives, trade position and its accession offer on agriculture. China's interests with respect to market access are seen as closer to the EU position in the negotiations, while its interests regarding export subsidies, domestic supports and SPS issues are closer to the US position. Its specific negotiating objectives are unlikely to seriously threaten either US or EU interests, and China will be in a strong position to influence the final outcome by allying itself with whichever partner is most willing to accommodate its objectives.