Trade can play a role in lifting countries out of poverty. But rich countries continue to push trade rules that prevent development. We want an international trade system that will help end poverty.

In this section

What's wrong with free trade

No country has ever become a 'developed' country by pursuing free trade policies from the outset. Rich countries are still fiercely protectionist.

The big issues

Free Trade Agreements, Economic Partnership Agreements and the World Trade Organisation. You may not have heard of them but you would have felt their affects.

Free Trade Agreements

Find out how a new breed of European trade agreements are threatening to undermine the fight against global poverty.

Taking the Fish

How the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of fisherfolk are seriously under threat.

photo : ©Tom Pietrasik/ ActionAid
photo : ©Barry Lewis/ActionAid
photo : ©Tom Pietrasik/ActionAid
photo : ©Warrick Page/ ActionAid
photo : ©Gideon Mendel / Corbis / ActionAid