Further Action
Email the Trade Minister
Unfair trade rules are one of the biggest barriers to overcoming poverty. The system works in favour of rich countries and keeps hundreds of millions of people from working their way out of poverty. This has got to stop, and our government has it in their power to help bring about the change that is needed.
Please send this email to the trade ministers Jim Sutton and Phil Goff to let them know you want them to speak on behalf of the world's poor.
- Copy the text in the box below into an email and add your name at the bottom
- Copy the following address into the email: pgoff@ministers.govt.nz
- Press send!
Hon Phil Goff
Minister for Trade
Parliament Buildings
Wellington
Dear Minister
Last year thousands of New Zealanders called for Trade Justice in the lead up to the Ministerial meeting of the World Trade Organisation in Hong Kong. Despite assurances from the Government that this trade round would be a ‘Development Round’ and would play a role in reducing global poverty, New Zealand has sided with other rich nations who have pushed for their own interests rather than those of developing countries.
The suspension of the Doha talks will not help make trade work for the poorest countries. Nor will the spaghetti bowl of bilateral and regional trade deals under negotiation.
The challenge is to return, not to the unfair draft deal on the table, but to the initial aims of these trade negotiations. This means focusing on reform of the most unfair trade rules that prevent poorer countries from being able to earn a decent livelihood. New Zealand and other countries should insist on real reform of agricultural policy in the EU, US and other rich nations. The current proposals would allow the rich countries to continue and, in some cases, even increase the massive subsidies that result in dumping farm products at cheap prices. Those who suffer the most are small peasant farmers who lose their livelihoods and their land.
I also urge you to drop proposals from New Zealand and other rich nations that would open up the markets of poor countries at an early stage of their development. Virtually all rich and middle income countries helped their domestic industries get a foothold and they only lowered their trade barriers when they were able to be competitive internationally. The small businesses of today’s developing countries are being wiped out when they are forced to open up before they have sound infrastructure, skills and experience. This would be made far worse by proposals in the current trade negotiations.
I am proud of New Zealand’s reputation for playing fair and being a good global citizen. But this is under threat from our trade policy. Please rethink the approach that New Zealand has been taking. Instead of siding with the countries that are responsible for massive injustices in the world trade system, join forces with the developing countries that desperately need support if they are ever to get their fair share of the benefits of world trade. Join forces with the thousands of kiwis and millions of people around the world who are campaigning for trade justice. We urge you to take this vital step in the campaign to Make Poverty History.
Yours sincerely,
[your name]
