NZ to decry protectionism

Trade Minister Tim Groser leaves today for the 39th meeting of the World Economic Forum in the resort town of Davos amid signs that European countries are responding to the deepening recession with a return to agricultural trade barriers.

The founder of the forum, Professor Klaus Schwab, said the forum would look at ways to shape the global economy as it emerged from recession.

It would also support the goals of the G20 group of nations to rebuild the global financial architecture and relaunch the global economy.

It was the most important meeting in the forum's history. The world was facing a complex set of crises and needed to re-establish confidence in the global economy, Schwab said.

Prime Minister John Key said the meeting was the first opportunity to assess where the new Obama Administration in the United States might go, and to talk about the future for the Doha free trade round.

"Davos is going to be very important as countries essentially share notes on what is going to be their pathway out of this recession."

Up to 40 heads of state are expected to attend, including British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Fairfax

- © Fairfax NZ News

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David   #1   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Just to clarify here. Heads of state for Britain, China, and Germany are Queen Elizabeth 2, President Hu Jintao and President Horst Kohler, respectively. Those names above are heads of government.

Payton   #2   05:26 pm Jan 28 2009

Good, protectionism is illegal under international trade law and good on the minister for standing up to the major powers about this issue...

Yes the Queen is de jure head of state but the PM is the de facto head of state who weilds the democratically elected power...

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