Emerging Trade-Related Threats to Food Security

Abstract

It is generally believed that free trade plays a vital role in stabilizing food supplies and food prices since abundant foods stocks in some countries coexist with shortages in some others. Contemporary global trade system, however, is becoming increasingly distorted by unfair and inefficient policies in many countries, creating both winners and losers among not only small developing economies, but also largest producers of food and agricultural products. One of the recent examples of such distortion is US-China trade tensions and potential tariff escalations where the agricultural sector is the most vulnerable. By raising import tariffs on food and agricultural products in response to protectionist policies, the countries may face a situation of rising prices for consumers, limited market access for producers, and increasing pressures on food security. In this chapter, the author develops the theme of the effects of globalized agricultural trade on food security with a critical focus on the importance of balancing trade liberalization and protectionism.