[asia-apec 1510] More on Moore from newsroom.co.nz

[APEC Monitoring Group]

Wake Up To Trade Reality: Moore
Staff Reporter Patric Lane 10/08/00 17:55:00

Opponents of free trade need to wake up and take a reality check, according
to World Trade Organisation boss Mike Moore.


Mr Moore, a former New Zealand Prime Minister, is in New Zealand on an
official visit to update the Government and other political leaders on
progress in Geneva.


Anti-free trade group GATT Watchdog has announced Mr Moore will face
protests when he speaks to a Christchurch business luncheon next Monday.


They said Mr Moore masquerades as champion of the little people and an
advocate for small nations, whereas the WTO represents the interests of
powerful nations and big business.


But Mr Moore said the WTO had been able to enhance market access for the
least developed countries, and that the logic of free trade was
overwhelming, especially in New Zealand’s situation.


“How can a New Zealander be opposed to exporting - what are you going to do
here? Wake up! Eat all your own meat? Wear all your own wool?”


Mr Moore said in the end a country like ours needs exports, while imports
were useful to a society as well.


Asked about the widespread appearance of groups opposed to free trade, he
said polling showed people do believe that trade and the WTO is useful to
them.


He likened the situation to the Europe, saying the European Parliament came
in for criticism from many people, but there where not very many who thought
things would be better if the EU was abolished.


“What they’re really saying is do things better, do things differently or do
them in terms of what I want.”


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