Towards Free Trade in the Pacific? The Genesis of the 'Kava-Biscuit War' between Fiji and Vanuatu

Bibliographic Data

ID5877112
AuthorsJohn Connell (0000-0002-6450-2435)
Year2007
Volume45
Issue1
Pages1-12
Publication date2007-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGeographical Research (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1745-5863 • E-ISSN: 1745-5871
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1111/j.1745-5871.2007.00425.x
OpenAlexW2092505336
LanguageEN
Citations received7
References cited16

Contemporary movements towards trade liberalisation have influenced economic development in Pacific island states, where opportunities for growth have always been restricted. The new free trade, centred on comparative advantage, is especially challenging for countries producing sugar, where diversification is difficult, and for the smallest states where trade options have always been limited. New regional trade agreements have been introduced in the Pacific as a step towards global free trade, but have emphasised trade rivalry and conflict, characterised by the 'kava-biscuit war' between Fiji and Vanuatu, rather than complementary trade and cooperation. Movement towards free trade poses acute problems for island states, yet international agreements have not recognised their particular disadvantages, and continue to stress benefits that are nowhere apparent in the Pacific

Business · Development economics · Economic integration · Economics · Economy · Free trade · Geography · International free trade agreement · International trade · Liberalization · Market economy · Political science · Rivalry · Trade barrier · Economic Zones and Regional Development · Island Studies and Pacific Affairs · Pacific and Southeast Asian Studies