Trade Aid for Poor Nations

For years now, Washington has been telling the world’s poorest countries that trade, not aid, will lead them to riches. This was a good message, stressing as it did the need for the developing countries to rely more on their own efforts than on handouts. But it also carried the promise that U.S. markets would be open to exports from those countries. That’s why Congress should enact a package of measures now before it to widen access to U.S. markets for goods from Africa, the Caribbean basin and Central America.

The goals of this legislation are modest--the goods involved are mainly textiles and farm produce. The main object is, as one senator put it, “to give marginal assistance to countries on the margins” of the world’s economy. Opposition comes largely from textile and garment interests, which see a competitive threat in cheaper imports. Both have been consistently opposed to any trade liberalization, no matter what benefits free trade brings to consumers.

But it is not the opposition that poses the biggest danger to the legislation. It is partisan procedural shenanigans in Congress. Senate Democrats nearly killed the package last week by trying to attach to it unrelated amendments ranging from the minimum wage hike and the patients’ bill of rights to Medicare reforms. Republicans, angry over these tactics, threatened to sink the entire package. To the leadership’s credit, the two sides struck a deal Tuesday that limits debate and will permit a floor vote later this week.

The trade package would give developing countries a leg up in their climb out of poverty. It would also go a long way toward making the world trading system seem relevant to them. Finding most markets for textiles and crops either closed or highly regulated, the developing countries have increasingly seen the World Trade Organization as an instrument for the rich countries to set rules for the poor ones. No wonder they are approaching the upcoming WTO round of talks with suspicion.

Congress’ legislative session is coming to a close and there is no time left for political games. The package should be passed and signed into law.