Perfidy of Nations
Tim Groser - Dominion Post - 25 May
Last year we had the G8 meeting at which the final press release solemnly pledged that the attendees would refrain from protectionist acts and seek to complete the Doha Round.
Similar expressions of sentiment cam in the final statement from the G20 at the end of March this year.
Not unexpectedly we have seen the usual shillay-shallying on this issue by the EU and some other countries.
Then most recently the USA has entered the fray with the decision to implement dairy subsidies. This from a nation that preaches free trade and more often does not do it unless to it’s advantage.
The USA were reluctant free -traders in a number of areas under Bush. Now under Obama they are worse, especially with a rampant Democratic Congress which has expressed some of the most protectionist sentiments in decades.
Again and again the protectionists fail to learn the lessons of history. Obama with this action reinforces the likelihood that the chances of trade lessening the recession are weakened.
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