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 UK Trade Secretary Stephen Byers"We can build social justice"  real 28k |
Free trade will boost Third World - UK
Thousands of demonstrators are gathering in Seattle |
Stripping back barriers to free trade will improve living conditions for the world's poor, the UK trade secretary has promised.
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 There is no incompatibility with free trade and fair trade. Indeed, I think the two can go together and we can deliver social justice.  |
| Stephen Byers, UK Trade Secretary |
Anti-capitalist demonstrations are also expected in London - amid fears of a repeat of the violence seen in the City, the capital's financial district, on 18 June.
London is braced for a repeat of June's riots |
"We believe the best way of doing that is giving those countries access to the markets of the rich industrialised counties," he told the BBC.
The move to lift trade barriers on goods entering the EU from developing countries proved European leaders meant business, he said.
"It's a big change. We're saying that essentially all goods coming from those 49 least developed countries will have access to the European Union with no duties being imposed, giving them access to a market of 370 million people - a radical change that will begin to lift those countries out of poverty, meaning they won't have to resort to child labour."
On the vexed subject of agriculture, on which many African nations complain the EU maintains a protectionist regime, Mr Byers hinted concessions could still come.
He said "an increasing recognition that we do need to move forward as far as agriculture is concerned" existed among the 15 member states.
Stephen Byers: "Free trade can end child poverty" |
The talks are not intended to resolve any of the issues raised, but instead set the agenda for a three-year round of negotiations starting immediately afterwards.
The British opposition leader, Conservative William Hague, agreed with the trade secretary on the need to strip back obstacles to free trade.
"Massive, nonsensical trade barriers stand in the way of global growth," he said.
"The rich nations of the world have a duty to open their markets and share growth with the developing countries.
"Free trade is a one-way street to greater prosperity for all. Protectionism is self-defeating and antiquated."
But as the trade talks begin in Seattle, much of the attention will be focused on the many protesters from around the world gathering in the city who vehemently do not agree.
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See also: |
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24 Nov 99 | Battle for Free Trade |
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Showdown in Seattle |
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24 Nov 99 | Battle for Free Trade |
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Roddick blasts world trade body |
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29 Nov 99 | UK Politics |
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Target poverty, Short urges WTO |
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30 Nov 99 | UK |
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Police braced for protest in capital |
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