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WTO Public Forum - Session 19
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The collapse of global trade:
Avoiding "murky" protectionism in times of crisis
Tuesday, 29th September 2009 I 14:15 to 16:15
Venue
World Trade Organization, Meeting Room E
154, rue de Lausanne, Geneva
Organised by
The Graduate Institute's Centre for Trade and Economic Integration
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| Abstract |
| Trade is experiencing a sudden, severe and globally synchronized collapse. Protectionist tendencies have already emerged, and as the recession worsens, they strengthen. These protectionist tendencies, however, do not manifest themselves as 1930s-style tariffs. Instead, it is a "murky" or ambiguous protectionism - seemingly benign, crisis-linked policies, but which are twisted to favour domestic firms, workers and investors. A negative feedback between recession and protectionism is no longer merely a memory from the 1930s; it is now a possible - though hopefully of low probability - scenario in the months and years to come. |
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| Drawing on research undertaken for a recent World Bank study, this session will discuss trends in protectionist measures, and put forth several concrete proposals that world leaders can follow to avoid this "murky" protectionism. |
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| Moderator |
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Dr Theresa Carpenter, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies
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| Speakers |
Professor Richard Baldwin, Professor of Economics, Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies, Geneva
Dr Peter Holmes, Professor of Economics, University of Sussex
Dr Richard Newfarmer, Lead Economist, World Bank |
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