Export
Chinese exports are ours too
IPN Opinion article
China demonstrates the virtues of economic interdependence and a globalised economy
EU Consumers to Foot Bill for Protectionism
IPN Opinion article
Europe's trade barriers hamper trade and economic recovery.
World Trade Begins at Home
IPN Opinion article
The rhetoric about who is to blame for failing to conclude trade agreements between Europe and Africa obscures a far more important point: Africa is never going to get rich while its governments restrict trade between its own countries, EU deals or not.
Taxing the sick
IPN Opinion article
Like many of its neighbours, Tanzania has condemned its poor to paying higher prices for medicine in order to help the prosperous owners of inefficient local drug companies: this is the true face of protectionism and it is a major obstacle to international trade agreement in the Doha 'Development Round.'
Overhaul Aid to Boost Trade
IPN Opinion article
Certainly, the combined $70 billion or so in yearly farm subsidies from the U.S. and the EU choke off export markets and growth opportunities for mostly rural countries with little to send abroad other than cotton or coffee. But too much gets said about rich-country protectionism: trade barriers between poor countries themselves are more formidable and a greater deterrent to growth than that from the rich countries. (On average, tariffs are 13% in poor countries, 3% in the rich). "Just as charity begins at home, so exports begin with a good domestic policy," trade economist Jagdish Bhagwati wrote in the Economist recently. The EU, an example of a successful common market, has just started to help African countries set up their own customs unions. A good start, but more is needed.
