The G-20

G-20 countries include Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, China, Cuba, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines, Paraguay, South Africa, Tanzania, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

The G-20 is under heavy fire to dissolve. Northern countries with stronger economies believe their fragmentation will benefit their interest. This group aims to unify the positions of the developing countries on the issue of agricultural subsidies. The G20+ must present to the WTO convincing arguments for all nations to accept free and fair trade. They must give factual information of the inequities of the current global trading system.

Work must be presented where a resolution will be found by mutual cooperation amongst both developed and developing countries. The group must stand together against stronger economies; it must not yield to international pressure to separate. The group must gain strength numbers and unity. We propose several issues that must be dealt with. Attack disparity, attack excessive subsidies, and strive for equality. Make every effort to achieve fair trade in free trade. Oppose the taxes that exclude poor farmers in developing countries from entering global markets. American cotton subsidies are destroying livelihoods in Africa by encouraging over-production and export dumping. Cotton prices have declined by more than 60% since 1995. American subsidies to its 25,000 cotton farmers reached $3.9 billion in 2001.

Efforts must be made in agreement and cooperation with both developed and developing countries. The group must stand bold and as one. Nonetheless it must not attack protectionism by creating protectionist laws themselves. Furthermore it must not expect the present subsidies to disappear all at once. The WTO claims free trade while they exert protectionist actions. The EU and American farmers are face record losses as prices fall under production costs. Fair trade is not free trade. Create a strong voice in the WTO, do not let the decisions reflect benefits only for the large economies. Together you can make free trade become fair trade. Make trade part of the solution to poverty and not part of the problem .

Bibliography

http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/200312/13/eng20031213_130326.shtml

Make Trade Fair.Oxfam Response to US & EU Cotton Declarations.11 September2003.http://www.maketradefair.com/en/index.php?file=11092003175007.html