SA’s continued obsession with disastrous free trade is dangerously naive
29 August 2021 - 18:09
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Sadly, globalists pulled the wool over former president Nelson Mandela’s eyes when selling international trade to his government. International trade has deindustrialised this country to the point of becoming the most unemployed nation on earth. It has robbed us of factories and jobs, and personal, corporate and value-added taxes, which has forced us into a borrowing spree.
The continued obsession with disastrous free trade is dangerously naive. SA should become stubbornly protectionist, with not 20% but 70% localisation. After a long period of closing our economy up more (as other nations have done), we should open up slowly to desperate African economies from a position of strength.
Enough of the free trade-led deindustrialisation. We’ve had enough.
Hitesh Naran Johannesburg
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Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
LETTER: Enough of free trade
SA’s continued obsession with disastrous free trade is dangerously naive
The article by Dr Morgenie Pillay of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement advocating free trade and questioning 20% localisation by SA, was a worrying read (“SA is dancing the tango at the ballet with its localisation plan”, August 25).
Sadly, globalists pulled the wool over former president Nelson Mandela’s eyes when selling international trade to his government. International trade has deindustrialised this country to the point of becoming the most unemployed nation on earth. It has robbed us of factories and jobs, and personal, corporate and value-added taxes, which has forced us into a borrowing spree.
The continued obsession with disastrous free trade is dangerously naive. SA should become stubbornly protectionist, with not 20% but 70% localisation. After a long period of closing our economy up more (as other nations have done), we should open up slowly to desperate African economies from a position of strength.
Enough of the free trade-led deindustrialisation. We’ve had enough.
Hitesh Naran
Johannesburg
JOIN THE DISCUSSION: Send us an email with your comments. Letters of more than 300 words will be edited for length. Send your letter by email to letters@businesslive.co.za. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Writers should include a daytime telephone number.
LETTER: AfCFTA opportunity is paramount
SA is dancing the tango at the ballet with its localisation plan
PETER LEON: Localisation is no panacea for SA’s economic woes
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