Let’s (not) build an economic wall

Dear friends,

I don’t know about you, but to me the last few weeks of international politics have felt like a decade. The speed of decisions, responses, rhetoric and constant noise of international affairs has seemed relentless. And that’s just the economics! Supporters of Donald Trump commend the use of tariffs as a means of protecting and, they hope, nurturing domestic industry. It’s an approach we’ve taken in Britain before – with never the results we were promised.

Since the introduction of the tariffs there have been repeated calls to “Buy British” as a response. To me this misses the point. The American President may decide on a more protectionist, isolationist ideology but Britain has long been internationalist – at the very least our history demands it of us. I think there should be another imperative though. The controversial cut to the International Development budget means less funding available for those most in need throughout the world. Providing enhanced ability to trade could mitigate at least some of that loss.

During Christian Aid Week (11 – 17 May), Colwall and Coddington residents are invited to financially support some of those farmers in the poorer parts of the world trying to grow their enterprises. Many are doing it despite famine or flooding, the effects of climate change; and the ever-changing rules, tariffs and other economic measures. Whilst many are subsistence farmers like Amelia in Guatemala, featured by Christian Aid, they aspire to produce surpluses to sell. Christian Aid works with grassroots organisations to create sustainable agricultural practice at scale, teach business finance and marketing skills and form cooperatives to sell produce commercially. This is work that transforms lives and that we, through donating to Christian Aid and in the shopping decisions that we make, can support. Do watch out for the Christian Aid envelope delivered by volunteers in the village!

© Christian Aid

Another success of charities like Christian Aid is in helping farmers cut out the “middle-men” and sell direct. And this is not just for poorer communities.  We see a lot of farmers in Herefordshire do the same. I’m a supporter of www.crowdfarming.com which enables farmers across Europe and North Africa to sell their produce direct – mangoes, lemons, avocadoes fresh from the farm and in season – meaning even smaller producers can benefit from international trade in a way that suits them. It would be brilliant to see more UK producers on there, selling domestically and internationally.

And did you know that the iconic green, blue and black Fairtrade logo is one of the most recognised in Britain? Over 90% of people recognise and know what it is. Christian Aid was one of the founders of the Fairtrade Foundation, a group that saw economics and trade as being essential to ending poverty. The “Fairtrade Premium” is now worth over €190m annually to suppliers – that is, the additional income they receive as part of the Fairtrade movement – the generally higher price consumers pay for the ethics of the product.

For Christians, fair and ethical trade should be the rule, not the exception. The Old Testament is full of warnings and rules about unfair business practices. These continue in the encounters Jesus has with Matthew and Zacchaeus, tax collectors who both recognise their mistreatment of the poor and abuse of power. Jesus could have focused his interests on his own community, shared the distrust of gentiles and obeyed only the strict rules about what he ate and who he ate with. Instead, he reached out beyond, declaring all foods “clean” and therefore acceptable. This act had profound consequences for the early Christians and the very international communities they inhabited.

Not everyone in Colwall can afford the higher priced ethical products or the ability to buy direct from farmers whether in the UK or overseas. Whilst the American government might see them as protectionist, the rules we have around animal welfare, food safety and production mean that everyone, regardless of income, benefits at least a little from that ethos – without cutting off access from the small producers and farmers that Christian Aid and other charities support.

So yes, buy British. But also buy from other countries and allow our international trade to flourish. Without such trade, and without truly fair trade, many communities and farming families would struggle.

 “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude… from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne…” (Revelations 7.9)

As Christians we recognise that we are not alone on this island or in this world. We stand with our brothers and sisters. The temptation might be to huddle together against the world but our response should be to reach out, standing in solidarity and equity and allowing all to flourish.

Best wishes

Andrew

@revagf.bsky.social