Trading Up? Or Trading Nowhere? The politics of the WTO and global protectionism
IPN, 3-7 Temple Avenue, London EC4Y 0HP
A lunchtime discussion featuring
Simon Evenett, Global Trade Alert, Professor of Int’l. Trade and Economic Development, University of St Gallen, Switzerland
Greg Rushford, journalist, publisher of the Rushford Report, USA
RSVP essential: Denise Teixeira, 020 3393 8410, events |AT| policynetwork.net
From 30 November to 2 December, the World Trade Organization will hold yet another instalment of the seemingly endless “Doha Round” of trade negotiations, this time in Geneva. In the midst of the far-reaching economic consequences of the world financial crisis, many governments have bent over backwards to placate trade unions and other vested interests. The US stands out in this regard, with the Obama Administration’s “Buy American” policy (applied to goods procured with stimulus money) and the new tariffs it has slapped on Chinese tyres, pipes and paper in recent weeks.
Despite repeated promises to the contrary, and high levels of unemployment, the G20 nations have adopted one protectionist measure after another – including anti-dumping cases, subsidies and “buy local” mandates. At the same time, trade is being stifled by disputes among the world’s key trading nations and a collective failure to reach agreement in the WTO’s Doha Round.
The speakers will give their views about the progress of Doha Round (or lack thereof), and speculate about the future of the WTO and the prospects for free trade – with or without the WTO. Please join us for a stimulating discussion with two leading trade experts.
ABOUT THE SPEAKERS
Simon J. Evenett is Professor of International Trade and Economic Development, University of St. Gallen, Switzerland and coordinator of Global Trade Alert, a global database that tracks protectionist measures implemented since the start of the financial crisis. He is also Programme Director of the most established group of international trade economists in Europe, namely, the International Trade and Regional Economics Programme of the Centre of Economic Policy Research. Professor Evenett is an expert in the commercial policy and strategies of the USA, EU, and the rising economic powers, such as China. He also closely follows WTO trade negotiations and bilateral and regional trade negotiations.
Greg Rushford is editor of the Rushford Report (www.rushfordreport.com), a newsletter that covers the politics of international trade. Based in Washington, DC, Rushford also analyses trade issues for the Wall Street Journal, Milken Institute Review and other publications.
