Table 1 Participants perceptions of how international trade may benefit and pose risks for Samoa’s development
Perceived trade benefits | Perceived trade related risks |
|---|---|
Participation in global movement | Loss of local decision-making/ overturning national health protection policies |
WTO accession status – international member and benefits | WTO accession status – top-down approach/lack of consultation |
PACER Plus – increased alignment between Samoa and Australia/NZ | PACER Plus - unequal trading platforms i.e. Australia/NZ gain more than Samoa |
Increased wealth from business creation | Loss of tariffs – loss of government revenue for essential services e.g. health and education |
Improving gender equality – empowerment of women | Increase in inequalities – greater divide between employed and unemployed; urban vs. rural |
Increased access to wider range of goods e.g. foods; increase in consumer choice | Nutrition transition – shift in diets resulting from increased availability of high density – nutrient poor foods |
Increased trade in services – e.g. increased remittances | Loss of workforce/skills abroad |