Irish Gov: Free Trade for the Poor and Protection for the Rich

international | anti-capitalism | news report Monday September 08, 2003 17:41 by Maubere

Yesterday on Radio One, Economics reporter George Lee became the latest to explain our Governments hypocrisy on international trade

George Lee (who is usually ok as far as economists go)said that the Irish Govt had 3 key policies with regard to the Cancun WTO talks,

1: Promote Free Trade and reduction of trade barriers so our high tech exporters can sell their wares. Mr Lee said the Govt. wants "Free Trade"

2: Help the poorer countries to get a bigger share of global trade to reduce poverty.
How they were doing this wasn't explained.

3: Keep the subsidies and tariffs that protect Irish farmers (esp sugar beet growers and the beef sector) from cheaper food from the Third World. Mr Lee explained that beef from Brazil and Argentina already has a tariff on it but the IFA wants to increase the tariff.


As you might guess the real trade policy of Ireland is:

1: Remove trade barriers that hinder Irish exports (mainly high tech)and keep trade barriers that help other exporters (mainly agriculture), any talk of helping the poor is just lip service,


To end on a positive note, it may be lip service, but at least the anti-capitalist and the Charities are getting the subject on the agenda after years of silence