UN General Assembly
1983

Conference on Trade and Development or the Williamsburg Summit of Industrialized Nations, also produced declarations of principle about combating protectionism. 310. But now these declarations must be put into practice and we must all be prepared not only to ask that our neighbours do away with such barriers, but also to take the first step and dismantle our own protectionist measures. If this is not done, not only will we run the risk of curbing or even stifling the economic recovery emerging in certain industrialized countries, but we will also prevent the steady transfer of its beneficial effects to the world economy as a whole. Are we prepared to pay that price for a few short-term gains? 311. I hope that we are all aware of the magnitude of the stakes and that we shall be able to make a reasonable response. A world economic recovery is in fact by far the most effective means, if not of overcoming our economic difficulties, at least of alleviating them.