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Trade justice, not free trade
Trade justice is a truly meaningful way for developed countries to show commitment to bringing about an end to global poverty
Nelson Mandela
We believe that everyone has the right to feed their families, make a decent living and protect their environment. But the rich and powerful are pursuing trade policies that put profits before the needs of people and the planet. To end poverty and protect the environment we need Trade Justice not free trade.
The UK Government should:
- Fight to ensure that governments, particularly in poor countries, can choose the best solutions to end poverty and protect the environment.
- End export dumping that damages the livelihoods of poor communities around the world.
- Make laws that stop big business profiting at the expense of people and the environment.
In the UK, Europe and globally, the UK government has been a leading promoter of 'free markets', which in practice means trade liberalisation, privatisation and deregulation. Faced with growing evidence about the social, economic and environmental costs of these policies, and under pressure from public opinion, the government's rhetoric has begun to change. However, while the rhetoric has shifted, the practice remains substantially the same. On a number of vitally important issues we believe that the Government has still got it wrong.
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