Undoubtedly the message from the rich industrialized economies of the world to their poor partners in the World Trade Organization is “Do as we say and not as we do” toward trade liberalization reforms. Since the Doha Agreement for trade liberalization, more farm subsidies have been introduced in the United States as well as violation of basic WTO rules. The European Union has hardened its position on the same issues and seems to turn its back to substance. Apparently all the commitments by the industrialized countries to achieve the aspirations of the world trade liberalization through sustained economic developments in the member countries are promises of thin air. It may also be the hope of the rich industrialized countries to take the minds of their poor partners in WTO away from their sufferings and miseries. Therefore free global trade is not the route taken seriously by the World Trade Organization. If not so, USA and the European Union would have acted differently. If the promotion of the liberalization of world trade, among the WTO members, is the real medicine to cure the decline in growth of the industrialized countries and gradually introduce prosperity to the poor nations; all partners in the WTO should swallow the same medicine.
Perhaps these practical issues will be discussed in Cancun, in Mexico when WTO next meets. These issues are not charities. They are agreed rights but negated or delayed. They are the heart and soul of WTO. They have been initiated by the rich countries for them to get richer and the poor nations to enter the club of global trading nations, through the removal of all barriers, tariffs, subsidies etc in orderly manner and over planned time schedule. All then, can become truly a family of trading nations.
Regrettably it is unlikely that the agenda of the Cancun meeting will include these vital issues. All the available time, the rich countries already planned to devote to negotiate two new agreements relating to international investment and multinational rules on competition. Neither agreements necessarily relates to the urgent economic issues of genuine trade liberalizations, nor do they serve their interest. If any thing they probably aim to create for the multinational corporations bigger Governmental privileges than the poor member countries in WTO. If so not only the poor members will get poorer but they, if not careful, may be eaten by the might of globalization.
The above make sad readings. The poor countries should work together to remove the barriers that exist between their under-developed economies, reduce tariffs, bureaucracies, corruptions etc. They better integrate their economies to become economically viable to be taken seriously by the rich economies. The leaders of these countries know that these barriers are impediments to job creations, investment, growth etc. Their removal must be a priority. Otherwise the governments of the poor countries are failing in their responsibilities towards their peoples while the rich countries are laughing in their faces.
Charity begins at home. Let us hope that the appeals above will not go unheeded by the 22 Arab countries and the Arab League. Over 50 years of promises to remove barriers to goods, services and people, failed in delivery. It is a big joke how Arab economies are managed. It must be a bigger joke to expect change in the foreseeable future.
Arab News Features 23 December 2002