The Financial Times yesterday carried a front page article which gives more cause for concern about Hillary Clinton's views on trade policy. Earlier in the year she opposed the proposed US Korea FTA. Yesterday she questioned the worth of the WTO's Doha Round. She also seems to be suggesting a need to renegotiate the WTO's environment provisions: "I am concerned by provisions that would prevent countries from enforcing stronger environmental and safety rules under the WTO. I think we have to take a hard look at this [the Doha Round] and do it in the right way." Unfortunately for Hillary the chances of getting the WTO to do this are close to zero.
The FT article also states "Mrs Clinton has also attacked trade agreements that do not include provisions to protect workers and that do not enforce higher environmental standards."
While alarming, these comments will hopefully act to remind Governments that it is absolutely essential to conclude the WTO Doha negotiations as quickly as possible. The Doha Round has to be completed before the US Presidential elections.
While discouraging from a global perspective (doesn't everyone believe that the WTO is the most important game in town?) these comments from Clinton are vaguely encouraging for New Zealand's chances of securing an FTA with the US. The Hive team believes that few if any potential partners are better placed to agree the type of provisions President Hillary Clinton would want on labour and environment standards than New Zealand.
