What is trade?

Trade is the buying and selling of goods and services.

This is now a truly global system with far reaching effects.

Rainforest destruction: logging in Peru

The current "free" trade system is flawed because it says:

• "All economic growth is good"
  The wrong kind of growth can cause severe environmental damage like overfishing, climate change and deforestation.
  
  
• "Trade barriers should be removed"
  Some so-called barriers include environmental laws like logging laws. Removing such barriers is good for big business but not for the planet.
  
  
• "One system fits all"
  Rules don't take into account changing economic and environmental needs.
  
  

International Monetary Fund

The International Monetary Fund admits that forcing free trade onto developing countries doesn't work and actually increases the risk of financial crisis.

One of the biggest problems is the World Trade Organisation, the body that promotes, sets and polices global trade.