Subsidies: Are Political, Economic, And Social Con

2736 Words11 Pages
Subsidies were the most heavily discussed issue at the last round of trade talks in the General Agreement of Tariffs and Trade (GATT) forum in Uruguay. It is in most national government's best interest to promote certain domestic industries by paying subsidies to domestic producers or exporters. Subsidies take the form of cash disbursements, tax exemptions, preferential exchange rates, governmental contracts with special privileges, and other favorable treatment. The key issue in the debate regarding subsidies is based on that subsidized products can move in international trade a equalize/nullify existing trade tariffs in a particular importing economy. Direct exports subsidies for manufactured goods are prohibited by GATT, but most industrialized nations do not obey to the treaty. I believe that the economic, political, and social consequences of subsidies can generally not be justified. However, arguments such as the protection of national security and the protection of infant industry can, in some cases, justify the implementation of subsidies in certain industries and nations. ECONOMIC ASPECTS: One of the most important argument against subsides is based on economic theory. Subsidies and price supports have existed for centuries, but now they are incredibly wasteful and completely outmoded for world markets. Subsidies, fostering the protection of domestic industries have a negative effect on employment, the budget deficit, and other economic aspect. The economic implications of subsidies are significant. Government subsidies given to the private industry usually end up hurting the economy. A subsidy sponsors unprofitable business enterprises and often favors one firm over another. Therefore, subsidies effectively interferes with the concept of a free market economy.1 In addition, government support to import-threatened industries seems to contain the growth

More about Subsidies: Are Political, Economic, And Social Con

Open Document