Events

Marcelo Regúnaga and experts warn about the impact of neo-protectionism on global chains and food security in the run-up to the G20

On October 16, the G20 House in Rio de Janeiro hosted the international conference on "Neoprotectionism and the Changing Nature of Global Value Chains: Lessons for the G20." The event, co-organized by the Getulio Vargas Foundation, the Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro, the Institute for the Americas at Georgetown University, the Institute of International Studies of Barcelona and the Delegation of the Government of Catalonia in Brazil, brought together experts and representatives of the T20 Working Group on Trade and Investment for Sustainable Development and Inclusive Growth.

During the day, the specialists highlighted the threats facing sustainable development in the face of the advance of neo-protectionism. According to the documents presented, the increase in trade barriers, disproportionate subsidies and other restrictive policies are generating disruptions in global value chains, which negatively impacts the world economy by causing inefficiencies. In this context, a number of recommendations were made for the upcoming G20 Presidents' Summit, which will also take place in Rio de Janeiro.

One of the central themes was food security and climate change. Agronomist Marcelo Regúnaga, coordinator of the Group of Producing Countries of the South (GPS), presented a document in collaboration with the INSPER Institute of Brazil, which was included as one of the technical proposals for the T20. Regúnaga emphasized that problems related to food security and climate change require global solutions and not unilateral decisions, such as the European Union's EUDR 1115 Resolution on deforestation, since such regulations do not consider the realities and legislation of the countries of the Southern Cone, key to food security and the global energy transition.

The expert also criticized the lack of prior consultation in international forums, such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Conference of the Parties (COP), before the implementation of such measures, arguing that trade restrictions not only generate cost overruns and inefficiencies in value chains, but also make food more expensive and limit the development of net food-exporting countries. such as Argentina.

In relation to agriculture and climate change, Regúnaga highlighted the crucial role of agriculture in carbon sequestration. "Agriculture is the only economic sector capable of sequestering carbon, which is critical to mitigating climate change," he said. He also criticized barriers to agricultural trade, insisting on the need for incentives that promote the adoption of sustainable agronomic and technological practices by farmers. Finally, the recommendations presented at the conference for the G20 included: the promotion of multilateral agreements, the revitalization of the WTO, the commitment to open markets, the reduction of trade restrictions and the adoption of measures based on scientific evidence. It also called for a constructive global dialogue to encourage sustainable production through incentives, rather than trade barriers.