Africa: Fear the New Protectionism

guest column

Johannesburg — FREE trade is under threat in the early 21st century. Protectionism lurks everywhere. The US, European Union (EU) and Japan are loath to open their agricultural markets. China-bashing has replaced Japan-bashing in the US and EU. Their governments do their best to keep out cheap Chinese-made garments retailers want to sell and consumers want to buy.

In the developing world, the enthusiasm for trade liberalisation prevalent in the 1980s and 1990s has waned. Nongovernmental organisations and others now create more doubts about its benefits, and have given the case for infant-industry protection new life.

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