WTO urges G20 to uphold pledge to fight protectionism

[Joanne98]

Source: Reuters


TOKYO (Reuters) - Leaders of the G20 developed and emerging countries should not backtrack on their agreement last year to fight protectionism when they meet in London in April, the head of the World Trade Organization said on Wednesday.

Despite the G20's decision in November to refrain from raising new trade barriers, there have been several moves suggesting creeping protectionism is under way.

They include the "Buy American" provisions in the U.S. stimulus package, export subsidies for dairy produce resumed by the European Union, and a French package for ailing carmakers.

"Their commitments last November to reject protectionism and push for the Doha round conclusion were useful. We will need at least as much this time," WTO Director-General Pascal Lamy told a news conference in Tokyo.



Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/newsOne/idUSTRE51O1TN20090225

[pampango]

1. Is it "Beggar thy neighbor" or "Protect your own"?

"The final version of the "Buy American" measure requires public works funded by the stimulus package to use only U.S.-made goods, including iron and steel. But it also mandates it be done in a manner consistent with U.S. trade pacts."

"French President Nicolas Sarkozy said on Tuesday the European Union should protect its industries in the same way the United States does, a remark that will likely raise concerns about the threat of protectionist pressure."

Someone should tell Sarkozy that if government action is "consistent with ... trade pacts", it is hardly "protectionist". Can the same be said of France's action?

"A report last month by Lamy found "limited evidence" of trade measures such as tariff increases since the financial crisis exploded in September."

Pressure for such measures will grow in most countries, at lease that is what has happened historically in economic downturns. Most of us like our neighbors, but it hard to resist the temptation to "beggar" them in tough times, if we perceive a benefit for ourselves.

President Obama seems to believe that trade is not a zero sum game in which one Canadian job lost is one American job gained, but one in which both sides can benefit under the right circumstances. I hope he focuses his attention on achieving those "right circumstances".

[Romulox]

6. The purpose of national governments is to protect the interests of their own citizens

This is not controversial.

[pampango]

7. That is indeed the purpose.

And just as I have to balance protecting the interests of my family with being a good citizen to those around me, a national government should protect the interests of their citizens while being a good global "citizen" (which would include a consideration of the effects we have on other countries in areas such as the environment, war and economics among others).

[Romulox]

9. You are merely restating the rule.

"And just as I have to balance protecting the interests of my family with being a good citizen to those around me, a national government should protect the interests of their citizens while being a good global "citizen" (which would include a consideration of the effects we have on other countries in areas such as the environment, war and economics among others)."

This is correct to the extent that doing so advances the interests of the citizens of that government. To the extent that it does not, it is incorrect.

What is disingenuous is the leap from the above proposition to the proposition that "it doesn't matter if it hurts US citizens so long as it advances the interests of foreign nationals and/or multinational corporations." This does not follow from the above.

[blue97keet]

2. If the fire alarm goes off

the fire doors are supposed to close. How else do you get control of anything without boundary conditions. Software exception handling at the lowest level, not the highest level. The WTO wants nothing less than unfettered error propagation.

[L0oniX]

3. F*ck the WTO n/t

[goforit]

4. WTO has proven disasterous to the economies of the world.

WTO's main purpose it to take advantage of free labor or
should we say slavery in the work force.

Under the facade they wanted to trade products.

WTO= BULLSHIT

[Romulox]

5. Isn't it about time that we examine whether or not "free trade" benefits HUMAN BEINGS

(as opposed to "corporate persons"?)

Or "free trade" the state religion that must be accepted on faith?

[Jefferson23]

8. WTO wants continued unfettered free trade, fuck that, I hope something changes here.