The lowering of tariff-walls, first between the « Six », then between the « Nine », has permitted intensification of . intra-EC trade. But towards the rest of the world, the Community always appears as a consuming area, because apart from - limited and fluctuating surplues, important deficits continue to exist. In consideration of this, a new enlargement, even if it may create a new intra-EC dynamic, will probably only have a weak effect on aggregate food self-sufficiency.
