After G20 and APEC, it's now or never for Doha

What the world needs to get out of an extended period of economic contraction is more trade, less protectionism. Government stimulus spending to stoke demand is also recommended.

This sounds like mouthing a platitude. It will be if fearful nations all think local and beggar one another into market stagnation. There just is a chance that the deepening crisis the world is sinking into will draw collectively from mercantile nations the correct policy response this time.

Trade is forever. Pump-priming measures, though important, bring one-shot relief. Undeniably, all energies should be expended on winning the trade argument.