Why Collaboration Needs to Win Over Protectionism
abstract
The Covid-19 virus is severely affecting international trade, creating a negative fiscal outlook. Consequently, the global economy is receiving its sharpest reversal since the Great Depression. As such, we are seeing several countries invoke restrictions or taking action to secure medical supplies. A by-product of this is protectionism. One should worry most about developing countries without any domestic suppliers, who also need critical medical supplies, and who will be locked out, and not access essential equipment, medicines, and basic foodstuffs because of export restrictions set by developed nations. Therefore, collaboration is needed more than ever to ensure economic and societal prosperity throughout the world, rather than within a small number of isolated, prosperous regions.
Keywords: Trade • Protectionism • Xenophobia • Collaboration • Informal economy