The USA and the European Union (EU) are pursuing regional and bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs), which have been signed by around 25 developing countries, and which threaten the economies of the developing nations.

These agreements benefit rich-country exporters and companies at the expense of poor farmers and workers. The USA and EU are pushing through rules on intellectual property that reduce poor people's access to life-saving medicines, and which increase the prices of seeds and other items beyond the reach of small farmers.

The FTAs threaten to drive local firms out of business, reduce competition, and extend the monopolies of large companies. They are also a potential threat to poor people's access to essential services, if the public utilities sector is opened up to foreign investors. Although developing-country governments are becoming more assertive, rich countries still hold the power.

Oxfam believes that trade rules should recognize the special treatment that developing countries require; enable developing countries to adopt flexible intellectual-property rules, such as the right to produce generic medicines; exclude essential public services; allow governments to regulate foreign investors to promote development; and e nsure that everyone can take part in the negotiations.