International Trade and Health: Before and After CANCUN

Abstract

International trade is potentially critical in stimulating increased production, economic growth and poverty reduction. For this potential to be achieved, transparent and equitable international rules are necessary together with national policies clearly oriented towards social objectives and resource redistribution. Economic globalization, so far, seems to have produced more inequalities both between and within nations. The Poverty, as it is currently structured and ruled, is a tool in the hands of powerful nations used to perpetuate their dominance on international trade. It should, rather, be a forum where inequities and inequalities are corrected to the benefit of millions of people struggling with abject poverty around the world. The recently collapsed WTO Conference held in Cancun Mexico, offers an opportunity for some few considerations on the present state of world trade, its uncertain future and the possible implications of this for the livelihoods of the world poor.