ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the whole problem in a synthetic maimer by summing up the numerous arguments put forward on both sides. It is indeed very difficult to get access to a pedagogical and conceptual presentation of what is at stake in agriculture. The chapter summarizes the main arguments put forward by the US and the Economic Community (EC) for justifying their mutual intransigeance. The conflict between the United States and the EC dates back to the creation of the EC. The Common Agriculture Policy has played a pioneering role in the unification of Europe. There are at least three reasons why agriculture is a special case in Europe. First, agricultural policy fulfills at the same time the roles of employment policy, incomes policy, regional policy, and population policy. Second, agriculture is dependent on soil and climate, which often cause major fluctuations in harvests. Third, insuring the security of food supplies is one of the main areas of European policy.
