Impact of International Trade Agreements - Consumers Participation in Policy Determination and the Impact of Existing Agreements on Consumers

Organization

Consumers’ Association of Canada (CAC)

Published

2002

Summary

This report reviews the consultation mechanisms in Canadian trade policy and suggests possible improvements to the current system. The report also attempts to explain why many anticipated consumer benefits from agreements have failed to materialize. In doing so, it finds that trade treaties always represent the interests of those who have access to the treaty-writing process. Benefits to consumers - assumed in trade theory – are thwarted by the process in place. The main difference that would result from the inclusion of consumers is a focus on removing (or not adding) non-tariff barriers that provide a benefit to some special interest, while harming consumers and the wider public.

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OCA Funded Research
This research received funding support through the Office of Consumer Affairs' Contributions Program.

Contact information

Source: Consumer Policy Research Database