The International Fairtrade Certification Mark (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Fairer Trade and FairTrade, these are not the same things and probably mean different things to people involved in dealing with trade agreements. It might be that neither of them come into play. It depends on what values you are working from and bring to the table.
FairTrade requires farmers to combine into co-operatives in order to achieve the FairTrade label. This costs money they don’t have and can make it harder for single farmers to benefit from this label.
Fairer trade is about removing trade barriers and tariffs to make it easier for all producers to reach the market. A more level playing field.
Trade agreements can contribute to strengthening high standards with regard to for example labour and the environment but this can be limited to deals between the big countries to the detriment of poorer ones.
It should be noted that countries such as, China, Russia and the Gulf States are often less concerned about the protection of people and planet. The way Qatar treats the workers building the stadiums for the football World Cup in 2022 is a good example. The way Chinese companies operate in Africa also demonstrates this. Those countries try to create economic growth at any price and stuff the poor and the environment.
They can also break existing international agreements and rules. Because playing by the rules is no longer a given, we must work together with those countries that do believe in an international system that is based on rules and values and a fairer way of trading to suit all people regardless of where they are, in order to strengthen it globally. One of the ways to do that is by using trade agreements to jointly set fair rules of the road in the international community.
By making increasing cooperation and setting standards based on fairer trade and level playing fields now, we can stand stronger in a rapidly changing world. The idea of an international community based on fair trade is increasingly under pressure. Trade agreements that take fairness into account at all levels are one piece of the puzzle to make sure rules are adhered to, to set standards and to protect and enforce values globally.
