Letter: Trade in misery

Oliver Kamm
Wednesday 01 December 1999 00:02 GMT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: Diane Coyle's observation that "trade is not just the best way, but the only path out of poverty for a developing country" is confirmed by Ed Mayo's riposte (Right of Reply, 30 November). Mr Mayo calls for "fresh alternatives" to trade liberalisation, yet gives no hint of what they might be.

Presumably he cannot mean the route favoured for 30 years by, for example, India or Tanzania - autarky, import substitution and hostility to foreign investment - for the outcome has been economic stagnation and poverty. If he has discovered a route out of poverty that is more effective than that followed over the same period by, for example, Hong Kong - integration into the global economy, with consequent growth in output and productivity - he should say so.

In the meantime, those concerned with Third World development will be wishing the WTO summit success.

OLIVER KAMM

London WC1

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in