"When unions, when protectionists, when uncompetitive corporations in the U.S. say that we shouldn’t buy from countries like Vietnam because of its labor standards, they’ve got it all wrong. They’re saying: “Look, you are too poor to trade with us. And that means that we won’t trade with you. We won’t buy your goods until you’re as rich as we are.”
That’s totally backwards. These countries won’t get rich without being able to export goods.
Nor will poor countries be able to benefit from the advances in working and environmental conditions that accompany economic development and technological change. Cutting off or restricting trade with poor countries is exactly the wrong way to go about making the world a better place, especially if you care about the incomes and working conditions of poor people."
That’s totally backwards. These countries won’t get rich without being able to export goods.
Nor will poor countries be able to benefit from the advances in working and environmental conditions that accompany economic development and technological change. Cutting off or restricting trade with poor countries is exactly the wrong way to go about making the world a better place, especially if you care about the incomes and working conditions of poor people."