In 2001 and 2002, the ISO initiated its first analysis of regional trade agreements (RTAs), focusing on NAFTA and other Latin American Trade Blocs (MECAS (01)20) and Regional Trade Agreement: Challenge or Threat to International Sugar Trade? (MECAS(02)21). This was followed by papers in 2014 and 2015, considering Government Sugar Trade Policy (MECAS(14)07) and Non-Tariff Policy in a Global Sugar Trade Context (MECAS(15)08).
The current paper updates the outlook for the Trade Pact Landscape, with a broad review of existing regional agreements, and a fresh look at the establishment of bilateral trade agreements. The number of bilateral and sub-regional agreements has increased dramatically over the last decade or more, pointing to a significant progression in global trade.
The aim of the paper is not to give an overview of the sugar provisions and dynamics within each agreement, but instead look at the effectiveness of established regional agreements, to evaluate recent sugar-related developments and look towards the future to understand possible outcomes and challenges in regional and bilateral programmes.
This paper is particularly focused on the trade aspect of the sugar economy, where commercial and legislative elements combine to shape the current flow of sugar across the globe, as well as setting boundaries for future levels of global cooperation. The final chapter also considers the broader drivers within the global economy and their impact on the progression towards a global sugar economy.
Introduction
The Current Trade Pact Landscape
Types and Nature of RTAs
Sugar Balances within RTAs
Production
Consumption
Production – Consumption Balance
Summary
Sugar Trade within RTAs
Sugar Trade Outside RTAs
Bilateral Agreements
Variations to Bilateralism
Quality as Part of Trade Considerations
Trade with Other Objectives
Conflict resolution within Multilateral Agreements
The Forward Pathway for Sugar
Conclusion