International Trade and the Pacific Islands
Capitalism and industrialism have been the driving forces behind ever evolving economic
constructs that have resulted in making the world a smaller place in the cases of globalization
and international competition. Typical of any national economy there are big players and small
players, each in their own leagues. For international competition the Pacific Island Countries
make up the larger pool of small players proving once again that a small minority still take up
the bulk of the wealth of the nations. Dichromatic issues abound from both the hindrances from
developed economies and inherent resource constraints within our small island nations.
This paper aims to explore the details surrounding the external and internal barriers that
disallow PIC’s from participating in more fruitful international trade exchanges. Considering
the external barriers that come with international trade tactic, some players are at a much larger
advantage than most such as with big economies like China, U.S.A., Australia and Japan. The
policies they develop are in line with protectionist competitive behavior as they create and
maintain trade barriers such as trade blocs and/or trade blocks that creates trade among its own
union members while excluding non-members who prior to that may have been able to engage
in a profitable exchange with a union member. Also, these countries have a greater national
capacity to represent themselves and participate tactfully in trade negotiations with high level
skill and expertise due to their background knowledge (experience) and levels of education
present within parliament.
Meanwhile, for PIC’s the same cannot be said in aspects of size and man power when it comes
to representation and participation in trade negotiations. Our seats at parliament are not filled
with the highest of qualifications, skills, knowledge and expertise. Rather our educational
resources and programs hinder national capacity to fully participate and negotiate. This is
further incapacitated as the forums and union negotiations among Pacific Island Countries that
have been established cannot come to an agreement amongst themselves with how to deal with
trade policies and movements. Furthermore, Pacific Island Nations are not endowed nor do
respective budgets. Therefore, data that tells the story of how the effects of international trade
bares on the chosen four PIC’s and their respective economic growth.