The correct option is 1 and 3 only.
Explanation
The critique of "Double Standards" in the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework highlights the asymmetry in trade rules where developed nations advocate for liberalization in developing economies while maintaining protectionist measures for their own sensitive sectors.
- Statement 1 is Correct: Developed countries consistently pressure developing nations to lower tariffs and remove non-tariff barriers to facilitate market access for their industrial goods and services. This push for trade liberalization is a central theme in WTO negotiations.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Developed countries have not stopped providing financial support to their farmers. Significant agricultural subsidies (often categorized under the Green Box or Blue Box, and sometimes distorting Amber Box measures) continue to be provided by major economies like the USA and the European Union. These subsidies artificially lower production costs, distorting global prices and disadvantaging farmers in developing countries.
- Statement 3 is Correct: Despite WTO rules aiming for free trade, developed countries have retained various trade barriers to protect domestic industries, particularly in agriculture and textiles. This selective protectionism prevents developing countries from fully benefiting from their comparative advantages in these sectors.
Key Takeaway: The "Double Standard" refers to the practice where developed nations demand market access and deregulation from developing countries while simultaneously continuing to subsidize their own agriculture and protect specific domestic industries.