Trade Network Challenges Greens to Provide the Proof

If New Zealanders have really done so badly as a result of "the whole silly, single-minded trade crusade" as Greens Co-Leader Rod Donald alleges how does he account for statistics which say the exact opposite, Trade Liberalisation Network, Chair, Brian Lynch asks.

"Studies show that the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations brought gains of nearly $600 million for New Zealand's beef, sheep and dairy farmers in 2000. Those gains will continue year on year," said Lynch.

"Furthermore in that same year, and also as a result of the Uruguay Round, New Zealand exports incurred $525 million less in import duties in other countries than would otherwise have applied. That was money that will have been poured back into New Zealand - more jobs, more investment and more opportunities for the ordinary New Zealander," Lynch points out.

"And finally, successive New Zealand governments have pursued open trade agendas and far from seeing unemployment rates rise we are seeing some of the lowest rates in decades. In fact in the period 1989 to 1998 as New Zealand lowered tariffs considerably, 245 000 jobs were created."

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