United States Must Redefine “Fair Trade”

by Devin T. Stewart for the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs

January 29, 2007

Global Goods Partners was recently highlighted by the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. The following is an excerpt. To view the full article click here.

“Globalization is again under attack. Commentators from many perspectives have argued recently that globalization has reached a turning point and will never recover. Global inequities, failures of international institutions, and resentment of American power, they say, will usher in worldwide protectionism, threatening to end the current era of globalization…

…Other powerful approaches include fair trade and ethical trade initiatives. As clean energy consultant David Dell puts it: That which is truly profitable is also sustainable and that which is truly sustainable is profitable. Social entrepreneurs, local governments, and increasingly business gurus like Michael Porter have reached this axiom. To these ends, fair trade initiatives, such as HandCrafting Justice and Global Goods Partners, seek to cut out the middleman, pay producers fair wages, and reinvest in community health and education…”