Costa Rican consumer group lambastes proponents of ‘fair trade’ – says ‘free trade is fair trade’

London: IPN will host a lunch for Rigoberto Stewart, the Vice-Chairman of Costa Rica’s Association of Free Consumers, on Thursday, 17 November at IPN’s offices. Dr. Stewart will discuss trade and what it means to people in poorer countries such as Costa Rica. He is severely critical of groups who call for preferential treatment of poor countries.

‘As the WTO meetings draw near in December, the citizens of rich countries, such as the UK and US need to know that real people in poor countries want free trade. Rock stars and development charities push protectionism in the name of ‘fair trade’. But protectionism hurts the poor: free trade is the only truly fair trade,’ said Julian Morris, executive director of IPN.

He continued, ‘Dr Stewart, a famous Costa Rican economist, offers both expertise and eye-witness accounts of the role of trade in development – and the dangers of restricting trade. We look forward to hosting him.’