APEC Trade Ministerial Meeting
May 9-10, 1997, MontrÈal, QuÈbec (Canada)

The Issues

The APEC Ministers of Trade discussed the impact of trade tariffs and international regulations on trade activity in the Asia Pacific region during their meeting in April. The biggest concern of these ministers is meeting their self-imposed target of having trade and investment liberalization (also known as free trade) throughout the region by the year 2020.

Free trade means having an unrestricted flow of goods and services across international barriers. It means that there would be less rules governing how, where and with whom businesses conduct their activities. Each economy would give up its right to limit incoming products and services in exchange for full access to sell their products and services to other member economies.

During the Youth and Trade team meeting, participants generated ideas for projects that would improve Canadian youth participation in Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) activities and would increase Canada's visibility within APEC.

Other subjects were discussed during the meeting, such as the balance between trade and social, political and environmental concerns and the issue of cross-cultural communication in trade relationships.

Questions for Discussion:
1. Is there a business in your community that sells products or services overseas? What do they feel are the barriers to trade? Do they feel that free trade would help their business or hurt it?
2. How do you think trade liberalization will affect you over the next 20 years? Ask two other people who are familiar with free trade and its effects.

For a glimpse of the youth discussion...

Balancing trade with softer issues such as environment

Many nations are challenged by the many issues they face that need immediate attention and are at crisis levels. Participants discussed how economic concerns can be influenced by other priorities.

Questions for Discussion:
1. Should nations do what is best for their country, their region or the world? How do these things sometimes conflict?
2. What effect will trade liberalization have on world peace and security?
3. How do trade barriers help or hinder developing nations?

Click here to see one delegate's perspective...

 

The importance of cross-cultural understanding for trade (a Newfoundlander's perspective)

The way we see others can have an effect on how we interact with them. Youth and Trade meeting participants discussed how cultural diversity affects trade.

Questions for Discussion:
1. Are there other cultures in your community? How would this help you in doing business with other countries?
2. What can Newfoundland youth do to learn about other cultures?

Click here to see one delegate's perspective..

Trade | Description | Agenda | Issues | Youth Report | Quotes