Free trade is the protectionism the world needs
Sean Martin 5:16pm
The post-Doha debate is exemplified by two opposing articles in the papers today. One’s by Johann Hari in the Independent, and the other is the Times leader. I’d recommend that CoffeeHousers check them out.
Both make relevant points from their respective sides. But neither recognises the political benefit of promoting global free trade, especially to Africa. China has been pouring unconditional aid and ‘soft’ loans into Africa over the past few years, including a $2bn loan to help Mugabe prop up the Zimbabwean economy. It promises another $5billion of loans in coming years to increase its trade influence in the continent. This does not bode well for the spread of democracy across a region riddled with despotic leaders who siphon off money from the public coffers.
By promoting free trade we also promote our democratic values. But unless we keep our side of the free trade deal, developing economies won’t keep theirs and will look for other solutions – such as that provided by China. This doesn’t just threaten their economic outlook. It threatens their political outlook too.
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Comments
Guido Fawkes
August 1st, 2008 9:50pmIdiot.
Ray
August 1st, 2008 9:51pm"But unless we keep our side of the free trade deal, developing economies won’t keep theirs".
You wouldn't perchance be referring to that monstrous testament to Third World impoverishment called the EU's Common Agricultural Policy?
Tim Carpenter LPUK
August 2nd, 2008 10:41amAnyone who thinks China "aid" is "unconditional" is living in cloud cuckoo land.
Free trade or even tariffs should be decided independently by sovereign nations and also free to be ENDED unilaterally between each pair of sovereign nations.
The WTO talks are a pillar of "world government" where the sovereignty of nations is eroded and a global bully tells each country what to do and will even "fine" them if they "disobey". It steps on a vital aspect of OUR democracy in the UK - that of no binding agreements upon future parliaments.
Jack
August 2nd, 2008 3:07pmGreat to read a fluent defence of what free trade can do for the third world.
More of this please.
Laurence
August 4th, 2008 8:22pmGood arguement but have you thought of the working class heros