The European Union Economic Partnership Agreements with Sub-Saharan Africa

摘要: This paper analyses the impacts of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) between ACP (African, Caribbean and Pacific) countries those EU (European Union) in specific case Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). In order to comply with WTO (World Trade Organisation) requirements, EPAs shift trade preferences previously enjoyed by a free regime regional groupings countries. were supposed fully enter into force at end 2007, but many SSA have not been ready or reluctant implement them that date. are examined their different contexts, particular theoretical underpinnings liberalisation regionalism respectively, as well increasing number arrangements aiming ‘deep’ integration all parts world, which ensued from disappointment multilateralism developed developing then investigated context SSA, i.e. distorted structure, an excessive dependence on commodity exports, fragile industrial bases, disputed effectiveness its intra-SSA agreements. co-exist other North-South preferential agreements, GSP (Generalised System Preferences), including EBA (Everything But Arms) initiative, US AGOA (African Growth Opportunity Act).It is shown will very outcomes depending initial conditions, economic structures context. It also revealed these depend variables: global factors, international prices, domestic market structures, policies conducted EU, governments various agreements they belong. EPA therefore uncertain can be assessed only basis, level countries, sectors products. addition, impact assessments rely simulations, cannot considered ‘hard facts’.EPAs may beneficial effects enhance exports competiveness. They constitute mode more efficient than multilateral liberalisation, fine manageable step towards multilateralisation, especially poor However, exhibit several risks, e.g. diverting trade, augmenting complexity already complex ‘spaghetti bowl’ arrangements, creating fiscal losses suffer narrow bases taxes, eroding existing - fragile, threatened competitive China, often previous unilateral benefiting firms SSA.EPAs ambition foster improve relationships, deepen north-south development. These numerous objectives, moreover strongly differ: reached if help reinforce capacity conduct ‘policy space’ control diversion displacements activities accompany strengthen sectors, high-growth Asian