Government, Business and Lobbyists: The Politics of Palm Oil in US–Malaysia Relations

This paper reviews how information was utilised by the disputing parties made up of producers and consumer interests in seeking and opposing the imposition of tariff and non-tariff barriers relating to the entry of palm oil into the US market. Information was used in a variety of ways to mould publi...

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Main Author: Yacob, Shakila
Format: Article
Published: Taylor & Francis 2019
Subjects:
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author Yacob, Shakila
author_facet Yacob, Shakila
author_sort Yacob, Shakila
collection UM
description This paper reviews how information was utilised by the disputing parties made up of producers and consumer interests in seeking and opposing the imposition of tariff and non-tariff barriers relating to the entry of palm oil into the US market. Information was used in a variety of ways to mould public opinion and influence official US trade policy. Producers, with the support of the Government of Malaysia, countered US efforts by mounting an information-based counter-campaign. This study examines how US-based opponents to the importation of oil palm used information to influence consumer opinion and governmental decision-makers. It goes on to describe countermeasures taken by Malaysian producers. These latter measures included counter-arguments challenging spurious claims made by US-based groups. The paper also reviews the role played, and the positions taken by the US and Malaysian governments. Malaysia, as one of the world’s leading exporter of palm oil, reacted to preserve and protect the interests of various stakeholders in the palm oil industry. Measures taken included greater R&D effort, stronger trade promotion and countering spurious information. This study demonstrates how information was used by disputing parties to shape consumer opinion and develop a case for policy intervention by the respective governments. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
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spelling um.eprints-231382019-11-28T01:51:21Z http://eprints.um.edu.my/23138/ Government, Business and Lobbyists: The Politics of Palm Oil in US–Malaysia Relations Yacob, Shakila D History (General) DS Asia JA Political science (General) This paper reviews how information was utilised by the disputing parties made up of producers and consumer interests in seeking and opposing the imposition of tariff and non-tariff barriers relating to the entry of palm oil into the US market. Information was used in a variety of ways to mould public opinion and influence official US trade policy. Producers, with the support of the Government of Malaysia, countered US efforts by mounting an information-based counter-campaign. This study examines how US-based opponents to the importation of oil palm used information to influence consumer opinion and governmental decision-makers. It goes on to describe countermeasures taken by Malaysian producers. These latter measures included counter-arguments challenging spurious claims made by US-based groups. The paper also reviews the role played, and the positions taken by the US and Malaysian governments. Malaysia, as one of the world’s leading exporter of palm oil, reacted to preserve and protect the interests of various stakeholders in the palm oil industry. Measures taken included greater R&D effort, stronger trade promotion and countering spurious information. This study demonstrates how information was used by disputing parties to shape consumer opinion and develop a case for policy intervention by the respective governments. © 2018 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. Taylor & Francis 2019 Article PeerReviewed Yacob, Shakila (2019) Government, Business and Lobbyists: The Politics of Palm Oil in US–Malaysia Relations. The International History Review, 41 (4). pp. 909-930. ISSN 0707-5332, DOI https://doi.org/10.1080/07075332.2018.1457556 <https://doi.org/10.1080/07075332.2018.1457556>. https://doi.org/10.1080/07075332.2018.1457556 doi:10.1080/07075332.2018.1457556
spellingShingle D History (General)
DS Asia
JA Political science (General)
Yacob, Shakila
Government, Business and Lobbyists: The Politics of Palm Oil in US–Malaysia Relations
title Government, Business and Lobbyists: The Politics of Palm Oil in US–Malaysia Relations
title_full Government, Business and Lobbyists: The Politics of Palm Oil in US–Malaysia Relations
title_fullStr Government, Business and Lobbyists: The Politics of Palm Oil in US–Malaysia Relations
title_full_unstemmed Government, Business and Lobbyists: The Politics of Palm Oil in US–Malaysia Relations
title_short Government, Business and Lobbyists: The Politics of Palm Oil in US–Malaysia Relations
title_sort government business and lobbyists the politics of palm oil in us malaysia relations
topic D History (General)
DS Asia
JA Political science (General)
work_keys_str_mv AT yacobshakila governmentbusinessandlobbyiststhepoliticsofpalmoilinusmalaysiarelations