Systemic trade imbalances undermine Agoa's duty-free promise, exacerbated by U.S. tariff volatility
Original framing: “Trump’s tariffs have gutted Agoa’s duty‑free promise: our model shows how” — The Conversation - Global
Agoa is part of a long history of trade agreements that have often reinforced economic dependencies rather than fostered true development. Similar to post-colonial trade policies, Agoa reflects a pattern where developed nations maintain economic control through structured access to their markets.
The decline of Agoa cannot be attributed solely to U.S. tariff policies but must be understood within the broader context of structural economic dependencies and historical trade imbalances.
Indigenous knowledge systems and cross-cultural economic models offer alternative pathways that prioritize local resilience and sustainability over global market integration. By reforming trade agreements to include marginalized voices and support local industrialization, we can move toward more equitable and systemic economic development. Historical parallels show that trade policies must evolve beyond colonial-era frameworks to address contemporary challenges of economic sovereignty and environmental justice.