News Release

December 8, 2005

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Cato Experts Discuss Trade & Hong Kong WTO Meeting

Daniel Griswold, director of Cato's Center for Trade Policies, will attend the World Trade Organization meeting in Hong Kong next week. He will be available for radio and television interviews.

"The WTO meeting will show whether the U.S. and other major trading nations are serious about removing remaining barriers to trade," says Griswold. "The major players need to reaffirm their commitment to a successful final agreement. Any agreement must include deep cuts in agricultural subsidies and trade barriers, liberalization of trade in services, and elimination of tariff spikes on manufactured goods. Rich countries need to set a good example by getting rid of our remaining barriers and agreeing to global rules against abuse of anti-dumping laws. Developing countries need to give up protectionist barriers that have kept their people poor for too long."

"Trading Tyranny for Freedom: How Open Markets Till the Soil for Democracy," by Daniel Griswold. Cato Trade Policy Analysis no. 26, January 6, 2004.

The following Cato policy experts are available for interviews from Washington, D.C.:

• Dan Ikenson, Cato's trade policy analyst:

"Regardless of whether substantive progress on the issues is made in Hong Kong, trade ministers will pitch the meetings as a success. Indeed, the threshold for success is much lower than originally intended. The significance of Hong Kong was downgraded from a critical, concluding ministerial meeting to merely a 'guiding post,' as it became evident in recent months that far too many issues remain unresolved. But unless significant progress on agricultural trade barriers, non-agricultural market access, services liberalization, and WTO rules (including reform of the Antidumping Agreement) is made in Hong Kong and during the first few months of 2006, any final Doha Agreement will be far less ambitious than originally anticipated, and perhaps unworthy of the efforts expended on its behalf."

"Reforming the Antidumping Agreement: A Road Map for WTO Negotiations," by Brink Lindsey and Dan Ikenson, Cato Trade Policy Analysis no. 21, December 11, 2002.

• Marian Tupy, assistant director of Cato's Project on Global Economic Freedom:

"As trade liberalization talks get under way in Hong Kong, much of the world's media continues to focus on protectionism in rich countries and its negative effect on economic growth in Africa. But the main causes of African impoverishment are internal. Africa lacks political stability and economic freedom. Its tariffs are high and private property rights weak. If African leaders are serious about improving the lot of the African people, they should first tackle domestic impediments to economic growth. African trade liberalization should be on top of their agenda."

"Trade Liberalization and Poverty Reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa," by Marian Tupy. Cato Policy Analysis no. 557, December 6, 2005.

• James Dorn, China specialist and editor of the Cato Journal:

"When WTO members meet in Hong Kong to advance the Doha Development Agenda, they should look around them and remember that Hong Kong was once a barren island but is now one of the most prosperous places in the world. That accomplishment was not due to intrusive government but to market liberalism and adherence to the rule of law."

"Hong Kong: World's Freest Economy," by James Dorn. July 28, 2004.