ML-Implode News - Economic Czars Warn G-20 of Risk From Populist Backlash on Trade

The heads of three world economic bodies warned of the risk to trade from the protectionist headwinds sweeping many developed nations as global leaders met in Hangzhou, China.
In a panel session Saturday ahead of the Group of 20 summit, Christine Lagarde, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, urged business chiefs to lobby governments to help keep trade flows up as she issued a warning about the outlook for growth into 2017. Her views were echoed by Roberto Azevedo, Director-General of the World Trade Organization.
"Trade is way too low and has been way too low for a long time," Lagarde said. "There is at the moment an undercurrent of anti-trade movement. It's at the political level. It's at the public opinion level" and also being reflected in policy, she added.
"If there is no international trade, if there is no cross-border investment, if services, capital, people and goods do not cross borders, then it's less activity for you, it's less jobs in whichever country you are headquartered," she said.

This sounds a lot like trade for trade's sake -- all else be damned. In other words, quell that "populist backlash", so global trade can be ramped up again (perhaps the true reason for that is that it would be best for "cross-border investment"...)

Relevant:

Economic Czars Warn G-20 of Risk From Populist Backlash on Trade