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Brown calls on G20 to agree deal to help poorer countries
Joe Murphy, Political Editor16.03.09
GORDON BROWN today launched an impassioned challenge to Barack Obama over free trade, urging for a "support thy neighbour" deal at the London summit.
Opening a fresh series of talks before the G20 meeting on 2 April, the Prime Minister said the world had a "moral responsibility" to safeguard the poorest countries and not just wealthy nations. That meant opening up markets instead of curbing imports of foreign goods.
"The Thirties brought protectionism in response to recession; in 2009 we must tackle protectionism head-on," he said. He made his call alongside the pro-trade European Commission president JoséManuel Barroso, and later went into talks with African leaders.
Mr Brown inched towards an agreement on stimulating the global economy by announcing that the International Monetary Fund will police the way countries respond to the crisis. With hopes fading for a "cash on the table" deal at the London summit, he shifted the focus to long-term measures.
"The whole world should be committed to deliver the sustained effort that is necessary to restore growth," he said at a Downing Street press conference.
"We are calling on the International Monetary Fund to assess the actions taken and the actions required for the future. That's the basis on which we will proceed to the G20 in London."
His comments came as the world's most powerful central banker predicted that America's recession will end this year. In a rare interview US Federal Reserve chairman Ben Bernanke said: "We'll begin to see a levelling off. We'll see the recession coming to an end probably this year and recovery beginning next year." But Mr Bernanke said the rosy outlook would be at risk if the G20 failed to agree measures to stimulate the global economy.
America is at loggerheads with key European countries over the need for a bigger economic stimulus. At the weekend's talks of G20 nations in Horsham, German finance minister Peer Steinbruck said: "It makes no sense to pump more and more money into our economy when we haven't restored confidence on the financial markets." Mr Obama's "Buy American" policy has opened divisions with free trade enthusiasts, such as Mr Brown, who fear protectionism will prolong the slump.
Mr Brown endorsed Mr Barroso for a further term as Commission president, but rejected a commission move to regulate the finance sector at a European level. "In no way are we replacing the British regulatory system," he said.
Reader views (27)
Dear Mr Brown
Whether an elected or unelected PM of Great Britain, your first priority is to your own Country - to the people of your own Country.
Mr Brown do you realise there are hundreds of thousands of people in England, Wales, Scotland living below the provery line? TWO MILLION people, now on an every expanding dole queue under your leadership? Thousands of people in your country losing their homes therefore their security, pride under your leadership. A vast elderly population that have lost their savings, pensions under your guidance? What about all these "poor" people Mr Brown?
I'd for one Mr Brown, be grateful to read that your off your ego trip, and have come down with a vast bump to earth and the reality of the damage you have caused with your budgets over the past 12 years. To make some attempt to put your own Country in some order before trying to sort other Countries errors out. Is the challenge of your own Country beyond your capabilities that your looking for easier targets abroad?
There is not one hardworking taxpayer of the Country you are supposed to Represent, who will accept, tolerate another penny of Goverment / taxpapyer money going abroad to help others until you have helped us. Get real Mr Brown and stand up to your responsibilities. You WANTED, PUSHED for your job so get on and do it or get out and let someone else try and sort out YOUR mess.
- Theresa, London
Help the "poorest" nations? Somebody please pass the sick-bag.
Nice try for votes, McMitty, but the game is up for you and your merry band of New Labour chancers, halfwits and charlatans - and YOU, old son, are on your way back to the wailing pipes of Fife.
- Ted, London
Why do we want to place money with offshore countries when everyone in the UK is being hit by the Labour Party
All English residents are having less and less money and we introduce immigrants to take our jobs so we have no income at all
Gordon Brown should think about all this and help all the residents in the UK as we are all in a critical state
- Brian Challis, Southend-on-Sea, UK
Keith, the only thing strong about it is the stench.
- Rogan, Irving
For all of our sakes get this man into a straightjacket ASAP, before he drives us as mad as he is.
- Denise H, London, England
Keith Price is currently performing at a comedy club near you!! The reason he is calling for help on the poorer countries is becuase Britain under his 'leadership' is rapidly joining that rank.
BROWN OUT NOW.
- Jamie Prince, Birmingham
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Sooper Broon saving the world again!
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Keith Price, currently visiting from another planet ...
- Marianne, SW France
The PM is showing good, strongt leadership once again
- Keith Price, Luton, England
With the greatest respect Gordon Brown, -surely in the current financial meltdown, -it would be wiser and more prudent to focus all your attention on how to alleviate the misery visited on the poor of THIS COUNTRY first and foremost?
- Huggy, Cumbernauld Scotland
Presumably when Brown refers to the "poorest countries", he includes the UK, which he has so successfully run into the ground after 12 years of tax rises, overspending and under-achieving.
- Nobby Clark, Perth, Scotland
What about our fishermen farmers etc and all our own factories poroducing English goods Gordy has destroyed them Why not teach these countries that they have to compete with everyone the same as we have to. if their governments had half a brain they could get all their countries up and running properly but all they are intrested in is me me me and pocketing all the aid instead of building roads schools houses with all the money they receive. We cannot support them forever and why should we they would not give us money look at China etc we have helped them and what do they do flood the world with chinese goods and take over countries oil and mineral wealth. charity begins at home and Brown has given most of this country away for his crackpot ideas of being the saviour of the world in more ways than one he should grow up a bit
- Jacqui Williams, peterborough cambs
After systematically destroying our once great nation, Crash has his sights on the rest of the world....gawd help em!
- David, SOUTHAMPTON
Gormless Gordon sat on a wall. Gormless Gordon had a great fall. And we all live happily ever after.
- John Smith, London , England
No point having an election. They're rigged. Best thing to do is refuse to cooperate with the state. It will then simply destroy itself!
- Neil M., london uk,
Instead of trying to save the world (if its anything like you've tried to save this country, God help the rest of the world) - why don't you save this country from years of Labour's awful policies which has left this country is a complete and utter mess and go. Gordon, just damn well go!
- Sue, Orpington, Kent
As the policies of globalised capitilism have been the levers for this current crisis. It is not a surpriseing Gordy, is clinging on to them like a drowning rat.
He has managed to make the UK tax payer responsible for bailing out the majority of globalised banks in the city of London.(Whilst not getting any help from the rest of the world).
His un-elected Industry secretary (Mandy of the tasteful scarves and custard) watches on whilst small/medium sized buisnessess fail, un-employmenet has reached 2 million and the black market has prospered with the use of migrant labour. The man is a fool and so are his acolites. Unfortunatly for him and them the British voting public are not. He is pitiful.
- Katie, Swansea, Wales
Sad to say Gordon Brown would not as he says 'Pass By on the other side' but would instead relieve the person of his financial savings and other worries.
That is the reality of Brown's false aid to the people of Britain and needs saying too by Cameron.
- Bill, Swindon uk
ELECTION ELECTION ELECTION ELECTION ELECTION ELECTION
that's what we need, Crash Gordon
- Antonia, London
It would be nice just to be able to laugh at him but the fact is he is completely out of control, utterly destroying this country in the forlorn persuit of a mandate. My wife says he makes her skin crawl.
- David Lewis, Fifield UK
"We need free trade for global recovery"
No Gordon, we need an election and a competent leader.
- Bob, Cheam
France & Germany though reliant on other countries are not as dependant on others as GB. Hence, these countries are going to ignore Brown. We now need to cajole some of the commonwealth nations to help us.
- Prasad, sidcup
Brown is not worth listening to. He has proved this time and time again.
- Dee Jay, Fleet Hampshire
Believe him at our peril.
"British Jobs for British Workers"
Kettle.. need say no more.
- Asw, HK
What a waste of time and money that "man" is.
- Georgie, Islington, London
What can we do to make him realise he should just quit?
- Thomas, London
Put a sock in in, Crash and start DOING - not waffling.
- Marianne, SW France
