During a conference at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), the former president of the Dominican Republic and president of the Fuerza del Pueblo party, Leonel Fernández, demanded the review of the terms of the Free Trade Agreement between the Dominican Republic, Central America, and the United States (DR-CAFTA) on rice. The president highlighted that 20 of the 31 provinces of the country depend on local production of this cereal, and that the entry of duty-free US rice would put the economy of national producers at risk and could generate unwanted migratory effects in the United States.
Fernández pointed out that US rice has federal subsidies that favor its production and exportation, creating an unfair competition against Dominican rice. He cited the experience of Haiti, where US rice imports damaged the country’s agricultural production, and referred to the recognition of former President Bill Clinton on the consequences of commercial opening in the region.
Importance of rice for the Dominican economy
For the former president, rice is an essential product in the country’s food and economy. He warned that, although the presence of this cereal in the US market represents a fraction of its economy, the impact it would have in the Dominican Republic would be significant. “For a market as large as that, it’s nothing, but for us it’s a lot,” explained Fernández, inviting the US to show greater understanding and openness to the differences between both economies.
Renegotiation possibility
The president of the FP stated that international agreements can be modified when there is political will. “If there were political will, it could be renegotiated and eliminate the idea that there could be the entry, importation of North American rice to the Dominican Republic without having to pay customs duties. It would be fatal,” he declared. The message was supported by the presence of Dominican diplomatic representatives and academics, including Ambassador Juan Bolívar Díaz and Director of the Faculty of Political and Social Sciences, Alejandro Chanona Burguete.
Reactions and academic context
During the event, the director of the faculty highlighted Fernández’s political and academic trajectory and presented him with the Commemorative Medal of the 75th Anniversary of the institution. The former president also addressed broader topics, such as the transformations of the global economy, commercial inequalities, financial crises, and their impact on democratic processes in Latin America.
Credits: n.com.do
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