Palm Oil, Environmental Objectivity, and the Political Economy of Trade Discrimination: A Review of International Hypocrisy in Agricultural Trade Policy

This journal examines the paradox of the treatment of palm oil in global trade policy, where the most productive commodity faces strict restrictions. Through a qualitative literature review from 2020–2025, this study synthesizes evidence on land efficiency, carbon absorption capacity, and the life cycle performance of palm oil compared to other vegetable oils, and analyzes the EU's RED II and WTO disputes. The findings indicate a discrepancy between scientific data and regulations, which tend to be protectionist. The implication is the need for objective and non-discriminatory trade standards based on environmental performance.