T&T: Free trade no matter what

Government wants free trade even if the stalled Free Trade Area of the Americas does not get off the ground on New Year's Day, 2005.

Trade & Industry Minister Kenneth Valley made this very clear last month when he suggested the establishment of a once proposed Free Trade Area of the Association of Caribbean States (FTAACS).
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With a deadlock between the United States and Brazil ( both non-ACS members) over agricultural subsidies severely hindering the progress of the FTAA negotiations, Valley's proposal for renewed focus on a FTAACS is getting some support.
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Larry Placid, director of the International Trade Negotiations Unit of the Chamber of Commerce who has been involved in FTAA negotiations, said he supports a FTAACS.

"I think it is something that we should consider seriously" Placid said. "There are significant benefits to be gained from developing trade relations with Latin American countries."
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Interviewed Tuesday, TTMA president Anthony Aboud also said T&T should be looking at increasing its trade with Central and South America but not necessarily with every Central and South American country.

"To group them all as one may not necessarily be the best approach. Certainly, we agree with the Minister that we need to expand our trade negotiations. We need to analyse the various members of the ACS and hand pick those that will present the best opportunities for us." Aboud said.
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While Aboud, Valley and Placid are doubtful the FTAA will start on time, they all insist this did not mitigate the need for everyone to be prepared for free trade.

"Whether the FTAA comes on stream or not, it never hurts too be prepared," Aboud said. "At any point the negotiations can start again."

Placid asserted the 34 FTAA member states have invested too much time and money to "walk away from that process."

When asked if he felt there would ever be an FTAA, Aboud said, "Who knows? If it does we will be ready."