Harvesting Poverty

America’s cotton, among other crops, is exported internationally in large amounts each year, despite the fact that it often sells for less than it costs to grow. This is because of the US government’s high agricultural subsidies. Countries such as the US, argues this editorial, unfairly render the crops of poorer countries like Brazil uncompetitive in the global market. Furthermore, wealthy nations have continually failed to put their own checks on subsidies. “What the developing world needs,” argues the author, “is not a weaker trade referee, but a stronger one capable of standing up to rich nations.” The World Trade Organization could be that referee, but whether the organization will be capable of penalizing its most powerful members has yet to be established. – YaleGlobal