Britain Launches Anti-protectionism Trade Website

(Peter Griffiths — Reuters)

Britain launched a website on Monday that will give live updates on global protectionism to foster free trade and help the world economy recover from the worst recession since the 1930s.

British Business Secretary Peter Mandelson said the Global Trade Alert site would act as a watchdog to deter governments from protectionist measures that he warned would only make the recession “longer and more painful”.

“Everyone is watching everyone else and there is a lot to be said for peer pressure,” he said. “(The) trading system faces a huge crisis of demand and of credit, but the real long-term risk to its health lies in protectionism.” Read more here.

Related: “Early warning on protectionism needed” Times Editorial by Lord Peter Mandelson.