Fair Trade or Free Trade?

Christian Aid argue, Unwisely in my opinion, that Free Trade is not Fair trade, while the international World Trade Organisation, was set up by 76 Governments in 1993 because of the belief that “free trade” is the best way to increase trade and therefore the prosperity of all the trading nations. History Shows that any artificial limits on trade reduces it. I have searched scripture and failed to find support for the Christian aid Position on Protection. Why am I and the WTO so certain that Free trade leads to prosperity for all participants. Let us look to our history. In 1815 Parliament passed the Corn Laws to protect British farmers from cheaper imported corn. (exactly what Christian Aid are advocating for third world countries). They put an import tariff to raise the price at home to 80 shillings a bushel. But the poor factory workers could not afford to buy at that price and they were starving! There were riots and demonstrations over the next 30 years cumulating in a demonstration that was put down with a cavalry charge killing eleven including a woman and child and injuring more than 400. Folk were so ashamed it was nick named Peterloo! Do Christian aid want that for some poor third world country? What are they advocating in Jesus’ name? My opinion will not allow me to support it. It’s a policy to make the 3rd world rich, richer and the 3rd world poor, even poorer. The corn laws were repealed in 1846. And free trade is now our Government’s policy. Roy Miller