Thailand should consider TPP trade deal with US
Play
Another pessimistic prediction about the Thai economy last week: GDP growth in 2016 will be in danger due to the world economic situation; that makes it more urgent for Thailand to actively promote the signing of the TPP.
Trade deals like TPP are bringing prosperity to the world by lowering tariffs and other barriers, give more opportunity to producers, lowering consumer prices and allow comparative cost advantages to come into play. Isn’t it better that Thailand grows mangoes in stead of Norway?! Some people have the erroneous idea that these deals are enslaving people. On which absurd idea this is based is a riddle to me. A simple analysis of these deals in the past would have told the benefits of trade deals – instead of enslaving people it will give them more freedom as these deals put more money in their pockets. Without these deals the world would never have reached the level of prosperity the world now enjoys.
More deals are needed as lowering the import duties in Europe for agriculture products from Africa to lift African farmers out of their poverty. But this only stresses the importance of trade deals to set the people free instead of enslaving them. Mind you, I don’t say trade deals are the panacea for all economic problems but they help! And Thailand needs all the help it can get in the dire economic situation in the world.
Egon Wout
