Dam lies

摘要

It is easy to understand why tying foreign aid to exports appeals to rich-world politicians. It seems to kill so many birds with one stone: international do-goodery; jobs and profits at home; perhaps, as a consequence, corporate donations for your party. It is also easy to see why the marriage will always be fraught. The exporters' interests-to maximise profits-are in direct competition with the interests of the aid recipients. It is more than likely that this tension will be reflected not just in difficult negotiations with the exporters and their customers but in fierce turf battles between the various government departments involved.