Can APEC help the worlds poor?
THE FREE trade agenda has been dominated by the US, Europe and Japan to enable their multinational corporations easy access to the markets and resources of poorer regions. Hypocritically, the rich countries have continued to heavily protect their own domestic markets, especially agriculture. This imbalance means that countries in poor regions such as Latin America and sub-Saharan Africa have accumulated debts that can never be re-paid. Free trade has also massively widened the gap between rich and poor in these areas. Bilateral trade agreements such as the US-Australia FTA undermine job security and access to services. For example, Australia’s Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is threatened by drug corporations that want to charge higher prices for essential medicines. Australia wants new FTAs with Japan, Malaysia, South Korea and Chile, all nations that will be represented at APEC. Can APEC help tackle global warming? PARTLY TO give APEC a ‘green’ image, the Howard government has hinted
