Agricultural Trade:
Issues Affecting U.S. Agricultural Policy
CED-79-130: Published: Sep 14, 1979. Publicly Released: Sep 14, 1979.
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An examination of the issues arising from increased U.S. agricultural trade focused on the unexpected effects this trade might have on the well-being of U.S. farmers and on the agricultural structure of the U.S. trading partners. U.S. exports which are sold at a relatively inexpensive price may help subsidize the agricultural systems of some developed countries, but may hinder agricultural development in some developing nations. The United States imports about $14.8 billion in agricultural products yearly. While the food imports offer the domestic consumer a greater seasonal variety at competitive or lower prices, they may threaten the viability of certain U.S. farmers in addition to contributing to income inequities within the exporting countries. U.S. agricultural trade with Mexico provides examples of how some of these issues are manifested. An export plan to develop a large agricultural district in Baja California would give Mexico the capacity to grow produce the year round, and place Mexico in more direct competition with U.S. producers, particularly in California. Mexico's inequitable income distribution is a manifestation of its agricultural development policies. Only 4.5 percent of Mexico's farmers control 35 percent of the irrigated farm land. U.S. agricultural plans are interrelated with a variety of other interests: grain sales have provided income with which the United States has purchased oil; and the fruit and vegetable and grain trade between Mexico and the United States is related to U.S.-Mexican oil negotiations. The development of trading patterns such as these raises a fundamental issue about the course of U.S. agriculture in terms of the domestic farm structure: whether production of various foods should be further concentrated in specific geographical areas, or whether various U.S. regions should develop greater self-sufficiency in a variety of staple crops. This issue is basic to the structure of the rest of the food system, since the location of crop production determines the structure of food marketing. Any change to U.S. agricultural policy should be analyzed carefully to determine its probable domestic and foreign trade impacts.
Jan 27, 2021
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Afghanistan Reconstruction:
GAO Work since 2002 Shows Systemic Internal Control Weaknesses that Increased the Risk of Waste, Fraud, and AbuseGAO-21-32R: Published: Jan 27, 2021. Publicly Released: Jan 27, 2021.
Dec 9, 2020
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International Trade:
Observations On Whether Women's Rights and Economic Interests Are Protected or Promoted by U.S. Trade Preference ProgramsGAO-21-190: Published: Dec 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 9, 2020.
Dec 2, 2020
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Foreign Assistance:
USAID Should Analyze Data on the Timeliness of ExpendituresGAO-21-51: Published: Dec 2, 2020. Publicly Released: Dec 2, 2020.
Nov 19, 2020
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Global Food Security:
Information on Spending and Types of Assistance Provided by the United States and Other DonorsGAO-21-47R: Published: Nov 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 19, 2020.
Nov 9, 2020
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Human Trafficking:
Agencies Have Taken Steps to Strengthen International Anti-trafficking ProjectsGAO-21-53: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020. -
Rule of Law Assistance:
State and USAID Could Improve Monitoring EffortsGAO-21-14: Published: Nov 9, 2020. Publicly Released: Nov 9, 2020.
Oct 27, 2020
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Forced Labor Imports:
DHS Increased Resources and Enforcement Efforts, but Needs to Improve Workforce Planning and MonitoringGAO-21-106: Published: Oct 27, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 27, 2020.
Oct 2, 2020
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Combating Wildlife Trafficking:
Agencies Work to Address Human Rights Abuse Allegations in Overseas Conservation ProgramsGAO-21-139R: Published: Oct 2, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 2, 2020.
Sep 22, 2020
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Cyber Diplomacy:
State Has Not Involved Relevant Federal Agencies in the Development of Its Plan to Establish the Cyberspace Security and Emerging Technologies BureauGAO-20-607R: Published: Sep 22, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 22, 2020.
Sep 15, 2020
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Steel and Aluminum Tariffs:
Commerce Should Improve Its Exclusion Request Process and Economic Impact ReviewsGAO-20-517: Published: Sep 15, 2020. Publicly Released: Sep 15, 2020.
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