Green free trade in a protectionist age

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump’s moves to raise tariffs on imports from Canada, China and Mexico have the world bracing for major trade disruptions. While protectionism has come back into vogue, and countries like the United States are cultivating critical sectors at home to bolster their economic security, the reversal of free trade will accelerate under Trump, with far-reaching consequences – not least for the fight against climate change.

There is a straightforward path to ending our dependence on fossil fuels: Nurture green industries – which would not only mitigate climate change, but also boost economic growth and job creation – and ensure that their output can be traded as widely as possible.

Open trade would strengthen these industries, reduce the costs of green goods and services in most countries, and facilitate the adoption of low-carbon practices and technologies.