Growing trade tension around the world along with increased attempts at protectionism is bad news for the developing world where open trade is integral to growth. Speaking in Cape Town recently, DA shadow minister of finance, Geordin HillLewis, said South Africa had a responsibility to unashamedly make the case for freer and open trade everywhere – especially in the developing and third world. “The evidence in favour of free trade is overwhelming,” he said, indicating that policy and regulations should be drafted deliberately to make it easier for trade to happen. Referring to some of the world’s bigger economies favouring a more protectionist approach, Hill-Lewis said now more than ever there was a need to protect the progress that had been made in expanding and opening up trade. “China, for example, has huge demand for blueberries. South African farmers have the potential to double the size of their businesses every year and will still not be able to keep up with that demand,” he said. Free trade with these international markets held the key to South Africa’s economic growth, said Hill-Lewis. He said many in the country were inspired by what President Cyril Ramaphosa was trying to achieve, but the process needed to be speeded up. “We also need to increase intra-Africa trade, but at the same time make it easier for this trade to happen.”