APEC must deliver on free trade

by Tim Wilson, November 16, 2009

All the media coverage following the conclusion of the 2009 APEC Leaders Summit in Singapore has been on the final realisation of the world’s most important leaders that the UNFCCC Copenhagen meeting will be a failure. But that isn’t the core purpose of APEC – free trade is. And by focusing on climate change it is getting distracted. A new report has been released citing the failure of APEC members to deliver on their commitment to free trade. The report, Combating Protectionism and Boosting Growth at APEC 2009 Singapore Summit, has found that 18 of the 21 APEC members have broken their commitment not to implement protectionist policies during the financial crisis. To combat the potentially horrendous climate for protectionism from bad climate change policy the world will need pro-trade fora like the WTO and APEC focused on their core objectives. Hopefully this paper will act as a wake up call.

2 Responses to “APEC must deliver on free trade”

  1. Torres says:
    December 21, 2009 at 7:53 am

    You made some good points there. I did a search on the topic and found your blog. thanks

  2. Jacinda Bondurant says:
    December 29, 2009 at 2:39 am

    crucial post , really good perspective on the subject and very well written, this certainly has put a spin on my day, umpteen thanks from the UK and sustain the good work

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