Thursday, February 12, 2004

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Follow-up on the global Southern Strategy

A few months ago I wrote a TNR Online essay about large developing countries trying to form a coalition to counter the United States and the European Union. The Economist has more on Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's role in this. Key grafs:

Lula looks like an ardent promoter of an old idea, fashionable in the Non-Aligned Movement in the 1970s: that poor countries can stand up to rich ones and achieve development by co-operating with each other. In 20 foreign trips since taking office in January 2003, Lula has tried to rally developing countries like the union organiser he used to be. He has formed a co-operation pact with India and South Africa, two other emerging democracies. In Geneva last week he joined UN chief Kofi Annan and the presidents of Chile and France in calling for a noble-sounding fund to fight world hunger, whose details are vague....

South-south trade is unlikely to pay off so handsomely soon. China will be a fierce competitor for Brazil's manufacturers, as well as a promising market for its commodities. India is one of the world's most protected economies. Even Argentina, Brazil's closest diplomatic friend, is trying to reduce imports of Brazilian textiles without flouting the rules of Mercosur. Lula's wariness in dealing with the United States is understandable, especially in the absence of progress in the global trade talks. But that need not make it wise.

I doubt the Economist intended to paint France as a developing country.

posted by Dan on 02.12.04 at 10:45 AM




Comments:

Perhaps they are being optimistic?

posted by: James Joyner on 02.12.04 at 10:45 AM [permalink]



“I doubt the Economist indended (intended?) to paint France as a developing country.”

France is not a developing country. It is a nation in decline. It is losing population and the socialists call the economic shots. This is why the French are so envious of America’s preeminent position. They are losers---and their situation is only likely to get much worse.

Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva could help everyone if he simply called us a bunch of hypocrites. This would be truthful and might entice our political parties to abandon protectionist policies. Both President Bush and John Kerry need to be humiliated regarding this issue. The heck with the Mother Theresa altruistic stuff. Sending donations to the poor of the Third World is of secondary value. It would be far more beneficial to open up trade with these people.

posted by: David Thomson on 02.12.04 at 10:45 AM [permalink]






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