Why MPs need to understand trade policy issues

Should Members of Parliament bother themselves with the intricacies of trade policy? Should they bother understanding the terminologies and concepts underpinning international trade negotiations? Is it part of their responsibilities to know all these issues? And of what value is it to their constituencies, anyway?

These and many other questions were the focus of discussions at the start of a two day workshop to boost Commonwealth Caribbean parliamentarians’ in-depth understanding of trade policy issues that opened in St Kitts and Nevis on 25 November 2010.

“It does matter that we understand and appreciate trade policy issues for us to be able to explain the implications of any changes in our trade relations to our constituencies—because trade affects all of us—as producers of goods and services, farmers, business people, or consumers,” said an MP from Jamaica.

“ As elected representatives of the people, we can’t go to our people and say we did not know about what the implications of a particular trade policy, or trade arrangement is, or would be to them, “ he added.

The seminar is jointly organised by the Commonwealth Secretariat and Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.

MPs participating are from both government and opposition. The opening session was also attended by the Governor General of St Kitts and Nevis Sir Cuthbert Sebastien.

This point was echoed by Edwin Laurent, Head of International Trade and Regional Co-operation at the Commonwealth Secretariat who said in his opening remarks that Parliaments have constitutional responsibilities to oversee national trade policy that require familiarity with an extensive range of often quite technical concepts.

Mr Laurent noted that since most international and regional trading agreements are debated by parliaments, which often need to ratify them, it is crucial that MPs appreciate the full implications of these trade accords and sufficiently master the technical concepts in order to participate fully in the debates.

“The expansion of trade is an important vehicle for promoting economic growth—so our goal in the Commonwealth is for all countries to be able to trade and participate in the system on a beneficial basis; but for this to happen requires sound trade policies,” he added.

On his part, St Kitts and Nevis trade minister, Dr Timothy Harris said trade matters to all countries, irrespective of size, but that for small states like his, it was even more important.

“There can never be sustainable development for small states if we don’t participate fully and meaningfully in trade. Trade, whether in goods and services forms an integral part of life in the Caribbean. We need to master the skills and concepts of trade policy issues. Only then can international trade become a vehicle for driving sustainable development and poverty eradication,” he said.

He commended the Commonwealth Secretariat and CPA for providing a platform for global advocacy on issues of concern to small states.

“No other international institution has today matched the Commonwealth in doing advocacy and providing technical advice and assistance to small states. We hugely value our membership to the Commonwealth,” he added.

The seminar will examine issues such as the dynamic role of the modern day parliament in the management and oversight of trade policy, the structure, principles and functioning of the international trading systems and how changes impact on economic growth and development. MPs will also review the functioning of the World Trade Organization system, the Doha negotiations and the recently concluded Economic Partnership Agreements.

The Caribbean seminar is one in a series of policy workshops that the Commonwealth has been organising in different regions. Previous seminars of Commonwealth MPs have been held in South Asia, East Africa and the Pacific.

Key Links:

• Country Profile: St Kitts and Nevis