Free trade vs. Protectionism
by C:F Team on 8th February, 2010 at 9:59 AM CEST
This week's Weekly Hot Topic comes from Maria Angela who wanted to know everyone´s opinion on international free trade and protectionism. Should countries have domestic market protection or is free trade the way of a prosperous economy? Tell us your thoughts and your country's experience.
Vallabha Rao | Youth Advisory Board | Ambassador
I think globalization is one of the best things that has happened to humanity. Free movement of goods and services is the only way forward when it comes to keep the growth momentum sustained. Protectionism is only going to make that country isolated and deprived of so many opportunities. With the digital revolution distances are becoming irrelevant and we are truly seeing a flat world where cooperation and not competition is the mantra
9th February, 2010 @ 12:52 PM CEST
Some time protectionism is a good other not, here in Brazil in early 90's starts the free market, some national business be closed, but that was a good, maybe this is the reason to Brazil has internet...
But I think that some goods are good to have some protection, and this depends to each country.
Free commerce is great on theory, but it can kill some cultural products and create a huge dependency of minor nations to be great industries.
9th February, 2010 @ 5:49 PM CEST
Krste Kostoski | Youth Advisory Board | Ambassador
I am from technical background so free trade would be great way to share my products and things that I could offer as product because if you offer software its hard to have market only by offering that product in your own country. So for me global market is better then protectionism.
10th February, 2010 @ 5:10 PM CEST
I am absoultelly for the free trade in the world, but I wonder if we are capable of true free trade globally. The problem is when some nations as 'free traders' turn out to be totally protective when it comes to their interests.. I guess I would give my vote to international organizations who could regulate that with real impacts for global welfare.
11th February, 2010 @ 10:29 AM CEST
Kayode Nubi | Youth Advisory Board
I would also agree with the view that there is need for Free trade as Globalization is sure on good thing that beneficial for humanity as stated by my fellow YAB.
But then I also see a need for a degree of protectionism in the sense that a specific good or service belonging or originating from a geographical location should hold maximum patency or a degree of control of the product in the global market.
11th February, 2010 @ 1:27 PM CEST
@Alja, thanks for the link, it´s realy interesting. I agree with most of you in the sense that globalization and international trade is one of the things that is shaping the world and letting us develop in every sense, but sometimes, some countries take advantage of third world countries and buy their good at very low price.
I think people is noticing this and that´s why nowadays we have fair trade goods which are becoming really important for some companies.
11th February, 2010 @ 2:25 PM CEST
if free trade is great when every country is equal, or complete each other.
our days free trade kills local economies, natural resources. See some poor countries, every one has a cell phone but no food.
if this countries was less free trade, they can have some agriculture, some internal economy a little more hope.
of course to a country that has high technology, education or economy free trade is great. But to poor is really bad.
11th February, 2010 @ 9:42 PM CEST
My country is not that big as the big ones :) so maybe a little bit different opinion.
Free trade for customers sounds pretty cool, but from local company side, especially the small companies, they are slowly killed, because they can`t compete with the prices of huge companies taking over the market in country. And I think that it is really nice if you can have your own products and food, it just feels great, although the prices are a little bit more expensive.
13th February, 2010 @ 9:00 PM CEST
Alja Sulčič
Interesting topic, Maria! But I think this is a question that's hard to answer... Both approaches have advantages and disadvantages and I don't think we can just go for one or the other. Perhaps the best thing is to find the right balance between the two, the golden mean.
By the way, I found an interesting documentary on YouTube on this topic: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v =xRJZWfqWcs0
It's not new, but I think it provides a good overview of the topic and perhaps some additional starting points for this discussion.
9th February, 2010 @ 9:15 AM CEST