Blair and Cameron: free trade good for developing nations

By William Danzek | 14 December 2005

In the House of Commons today, British Prime Minister Blair and Conservative Leader David Cameron agreed that developing countries can benefit from adopting free trade. Their views contrast with hard-left pressure groups like War on Want who think the failed idea of protectionism is a good policy for developing countries:

Mr. David Cameron (Witney) (Con): Expanding free trade is the most powerful force for the reduction of world poverty, but there are some at the world trade talks in Hong Kong this week who argue that expanding free trade means forbidding developing countries to protect their environments. Does the Prime Minister agree that that is the wrong argument? Does he agree that it is perfectly possible for developing countries to have free trade and benefit from it, while allowing the environmental protections that we enjoy in this country?

The Prime Minister: Yes, I do agree with that, but there is another thing that I consider important. It is also important for developing countries whose economies are at a very low stage of development to get help - aid for trade - so that they can build the capacity that will enable them to trade. I was particularly pleased that the G7 Finance Ministers agreed to increase aid for trade to $4 billion, because that trade capability is also an important part of making free trade work.