Need to work on increasing protectionism, trade conflicts to revive global growth: Das

11 Jul 2018 Evaluate

India’s G-20 Sherpa Shaktikanta Das has expressed concern over increasing protectionism and trade conflicts across the world and said countries ought to work out arrangements that are beneficial to all in the larger interest of reviving global growth. He added that global growth has taken a downward turn in the aftermath of 2008 financial crisis. Then advanced economies were under pressure because of subsequent developments. Financial crisis was followed by debt crisis in PIGS countries (Portugal, Italy, Greece and Spain). It was followed by Eurozone crisis. He also said that there was another major event like Britain deciding to exit the European Union, putting further pressure on global growth.

Das further said ‘But now I think in recent months, the US economy as well as European economies are showing signs of revival. On the whole, the global economy appears to be in revival mode. Therefore, at this juncture, any trade conflict which goes beyond a certain point will definitely have negative impact on global growth’. He further said that free trade has been responsible for sustained global growth over the years and added that protectionist tendencies going beyond a point, naturally will have adverse consequences on world economy.

Highlighting that the world economy cannot afford another era of slow growth, the former Economic Affairs Secretary said therefore it is necessary that all countries act in a spirit of cooperation and resolve -- the trade issue bilaterally or multilaterally. He also noted that some of the trade issues are bilateral in nature and unless they are resolved the global economy faces negative prospect of growth slowing down. He added in that background, the negotiations taking place under the aegis of World Trade Organisation (WTO), among the trade ministers assumes very great significance and countries work out arrangements which are beneficial to all.

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