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Free trade and tirades
5 November 2005
A CRUCIAL summit on free trade has begun in the coastal Argentinian city of Mar del Plata. Called the Summit of the Americas, it’s main job is job creation, but different nations have different ideas on how to create jobs. While the North generally believes in the virtues of free trade, the South is sceptical about it, as it sees in it an agenda to promote the industries of the North at the expense of those in the South. The US, of course, champions free trade as the best way to relieve poverty. President George Bush is being targeted by left-wing protesters. Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is expected to address the rally of left-wingers, while former football legend of Argentina Diego Maradona and Bolivian left-wing presidential candidate Evo Morales will also take part in the demonstration. A parallel summit of ‘leftists’ is being held in the same resort.
As generally happens in most economic summits, controversy dogs them at every step, and so it is with Mar del Plata. The left-wingers automatically assume the mantle of a ‘people’s movement’ as opposed to the ‘rich men’s club’ they pejoratively dub all economic summits. With more than 8,000 police officers guarding the venue of the summit, the rivalry between Bush and Chavez is expected to dominate the meeting, as Chavez has said Venezuela will reject any declaration on free trade in the Americas.
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