Parochialism in agricultural trade liberalisation under the WTO: dilemmas and options for Australia as a middle-sized nation

Comparatively less powerful trading nations such as Australia are better off by embracing a rule of law, as opposed to a power-politics- oriented approach in the governance of international trade under the WTO. It is this theme that lies at the root of this article. It argues in favour of strengthening the WTO rules and widening their coverage to agricultural trade, among others. It examines the position of Australia as a middle-sized nation in agricultural trade and the way in which it is affected by the WTO’s approach to free trade in agriculture. Finally, it suggests a few long-term options for Australia to overcome some of the obstacles confronting further agricultural trade liberalization under the WTO.