Fair trade was noticeably abuzz in the news on public radio today in Chicago. This morning I heard a brief discussion in response to the decision made recently by two large chocolate companies, Cadbury and Mars, to go fair trade. Both companies have announced that they will include labor and environmental standards in their sourcing guidelines or establish fair trade criteria in their codes of conduct. The report also led to a discussion on the status of the fair trade movement worldwide. Although growing, as evidenced by these announcements, fair trade product purchases still represent a very small percentage of overall global trade or consumerism worldwide (perhaps .5% of food/product sales in the UK).
Then later, I was listening to one of my favorite public radio programs, WBEZ's Worldview. There was a good interview on the status of free trade vs. fair trade in the context of current debates about a free trade agreement with Colombia in Canada. There was discussion about a growing number of fair trade deals being negotiated in different countries. These generally include attention to labor and environmental standards and social improvements as a result of trade. The interview also discusses the human rights situation in Colombia, which is an important element of this debate given the startling number of trade unionists killed in Colombia in recent years.
Monday, April 20, 2009
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Take a Fair Trade Coffee Break
Saturday, May 9th is World Fair Trade Day and I will be joining tens of thousands of Fair Trade supporters in celebrating by making a small commitment to enjoy one or more Fair Trade products at home with family and friends. World Fair Trade Day is an international celebration of all things Fair Trade, whether it's the Fair Trade Certified products you enjoy at the supermarket or Fair Trade handicrafts from artisans around the world.
When we support Fair Trade, we not only support the people who make the items we consume and enjoy, we also support the environment, women's rights, children's education, cultural dignity and peace building. That's a powerful thing to do by choosing Fair Trade products!
Please join me in choosing Fair Trade and helping to set the record for World's Largest Fair Trade Break this May by enjoying a simple action at home in celebration of World Fair Trade Day.
Whether it's with a cup of Fair Trade Certified coffee with your morning paper, a gift from Fair Trade artisans or a bouquet of Fair Trade Certified flowers for a loved one this Mother's Day, please join me in choosing Fair Trade.
Just click here to make your pledge and help us reach 55,000 for Fair Trade on World Fair Trade Day 2009!
Friday, April 10, 2009
New Commerce Secretary: A Supporter of Fair Trade?
From Yahoo! News:
Obama trade pick vows 'fair trade' push
WASHINGTON (AFP) – US commerce secretary nominee Gary Locke, the first ever Chinese-American US governor, vowed Wednesday to pursue "fair trade" with countries like China and South Korea if confirmed to the post.
But he sidestepped a lawmaker's call for "a brawl" with Beijing on currency and trade issues and an invitation to criticize a US-South Korea free trade deal that one senator said was digging an ever-wider trade deficit.
Locke, whose nomination requires Senate confirmation, promised the Senate's commerce committee he would fight to protect US intellectual property rights and vigorously enforce the rules of existing US trade pacts.
"More than free trade, though, I believe in fair trade," he said in the confirmation hearing.
"That means we must enforce our trade agreement and place a high value on environmental, labor and safety standards," he said, warning that failure to do so was "putting American workers at a competitive disadvantage."
If confirmed, Locke would run a giant agency tasked with enforcing US trade laws, but also managing the transition to digital television later this year as well as the 2010 population census that will decide the states' share in federal monies as well as their representation in the US Congress.
Senators repeatedly quizzed him on those subjects as well as on thorny trade issues, including the commercial relationships with China, Colombia, Mexico and South Korea and concerns about protecting intellectual property rights.
More...
And From the Wall Street Journal:
MARCH 30, 2009, 6:07 P.M. ET
Locke Vows to Push for 'Fair Trade'
By AMY SCHATZ
WASHINGTON -- Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said in an interview that he will push for "fair trade" and said countries seeking open trade with the U.S. should abide by "minimum standards" for environmental and safety regulations.
"I've always believed in fair trade. I believe it's appropriate that there's minimum standards that other countries should abide by if we're allowing their products to come in to the United States," Mr. Locke said during an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
"If the apple growers of Washington State have to abide by all these environmental and health and human safety standards and the workers of other countries don't have to, it puts Washington State apples at a disadvantage," said Mr. Locke, a former governor of Washington State. "Same thing with Boeing airplanes. If other countries are able to significantly subsidize the cost of development and production of an airplane then it puts Boeing at a competitive disadvantage and it hurts the aerospace workers of America."
Mr. Locke's comments, during an interview on his first day on the job, echo the sentiments of many congressional Democrats and U.S. unions skeptical of the benefits of free trade. They have called on the administration to curb access to the U.S. markets for countries with less stringent environmental and labor safety rules.
Congress recently cited safety concerns as the justification for blocking access for Mexican trucks on U.S. highways outside a border zone. The Mexican government retaliated by slapping tariffs on about $2.4 billion worth of U.S. products ranging from grapes to toiletries. President Barack Obama is trying to defuse the conflict.
More...
NPR interview, "Commerce Secretary Sounds Off On Trade, Census"
Listen
Obama trade pick vows 'fair trade' push
WASHINGTON (AFP) – US commerce secretary nominee Gary Locke, the first ever Chinese-American US governor, vowed Wednesday to pursue "fair trade" with countries like China and South Korea if confirmed to the post.
But he sidestepped a lawmaker's call for "a brawl" with Beijing on currency and trade issues and an invitation to criticize a US-South Korea free trade deal that one senator said was digging an ever-wider trade deficit.
Locke, whose nomination requires Senate confirmation, promised the Senate's commerce committee he would fight to protect US intellectual property rights and vigorously enforce the rules of existing US trade pacts.
"More than free trade, though, I believe in fair trade," he said in the confirmation hearing.
"That means we must enforce our trade agreement and place a high value on environmental, labor and safety standards," he said, warning that failure to do so was "putting American workers at a competitive disadvantage."
If confirmed, Locke would run a giant agency tasked with enforcing US trade laws, but also managing the transition to digital television later this year as well as the 2010 population census that will decide the states' share in federal monies as well as their representation in the US Congress.
Senators repeatedly quizzed him on those subjects as well as on thorny trade issues, including the commercial relationships with China, Colombia, Mexico and South Korea and concerns about protecting intellectual property rights.
More...
And From the Wall Street Journal:
MARCH 30, 2009, 6:07 P.M. ET
Locke Vows to Push for 'Fair Trade'
By AMY SCHATZ
WASHINGTON -- Commerce Secretary Gary Locke said in an interview that he will push for "fair trade" and said countries seeking open trade with the U.S. should abide by "minimum standards" for environmental and safety regulations.
"I've always believed in fair trade. I believe it's appropriate that there's minimum standards that other countries should abide by if we're allowing their products to come in to the United States," Mr. Locke said during an interview with The Wall Street Journal.
"If the apple growers of Washington State have to abide by all these environmental and health and human safety standards and the workers of other countries don't have to, it puts Washington State apples at a disadvantage," said Mr. Locke, a former governor of Washington State. "Same thing with Boeing airplanes. If other countries are able to significantly subsidize the cost of development and production of an airplane then it puts Boeing at a competitive disadvantage and it hurts the aerospace workers of America."
Mr. Locke's comments, during an interview on his first day on the job, echo the sentiments of many congressional Democrats and U.S. unions skeptical of the benefits of free trade. They have called on the administration to curb access to the U.S. markets for countries with less stringent environmental and labor safety rules.
Congress recently cited safety concerns as the justification for blocking access for Mexican trucks on U.S. highways outside a border zone. The Mexican government retaliated by slapping tariffs on about $2.4 billion worth of U.S. products ranging from grapes to toiletries. President Barack Obama is trying to defuse the conflict.
More...
NPR interview, "Commerce Secretary Sounds Off On Trade, Census"
Listen
Celebrate World Fair Trade Day in Daley Plaza, 5/4
World Fair Trade Day 2009 is a salute to the people and organizations who have dedicated themselves to making Fair Trade what it is today, a solution not an issue. Fair Trade is not just about poverty, it's a solution to poverty, Fair Trade is not just about climate change, it's a solution to environmental degradation and bad practice. Fair Trade is not just about protest, it's about change. Change that’s long overdue.
It’s a Big Day for the Planet. Unite with millions of people and be the powerful voice of positive change. Tell the world you want an end to poverty, an end to climate change and the beginning of sustainable living. World Fair Trade Day is your global stage.
The official World Fair Trade Day is Saturday, May 9th but Chicago Fair Trade will be in Daley Plaza Monday, May 4th! The emcee will be Jerome McDonnell of Chicago Public Radio's World View. Stop by the plaza between 10am and 6pm to celebrate, learn more about fair trade, and purchase fair trade products!
Read last year's press release.
Fair Trade booths will include:
Mata Traders
Rangi Mingi Gallery
Divine Chocolate
GreenHeart
Malia Designs
Third World Shoppe of Ft Wayne Friends
Market Place of India
Maya Works
Five Accessories
Happy Talk Products
Sweet Beginnings
Kiichpan
Woman Craft
The Fair Trader
Kallari Foundation
AFSC Olive Oil Project
World Shoppe
CFT GlobalFest, May 14
All are invited to Chicago Fair Trade's annual benefit, Globalfest. This year's benefit will honor the organization's partnerships in Latin America.
Featuring Peruvian Fair Trade producers
and a presentation of the first annual Chicago Fair Trade Changemaker Award
Thursday, May 14, 5:30-9 PM
Zapatista Restaurant
1307 S. Wabash Ave.
Become a member of Chicago Fair Trade. Support efforts to build the movement for fair trade in the Chicagoland area and make Chicago a Fair Trade City.
Join CFT on Facebook.
Loyola University Chicago is a member organization of Chicago Fair Trade and a sponsor of this year's Globalfest benefit.
Chicago Fair Trade works to reduce global poverty by increasing support for fair trade through education, advocacy and consumer campaigns.
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