NationStates Jolt Archive


European aid development airline tax - Dodging the subsidies debate?

AMW China
25-11-2005, 14:09
Airline tax suggested for relief effort

25.11.05

The French Government has agreed to introduce a tax on airline tickets next year to finance development aid for poor countries.

The measure, which needs parliamentary approval before becoming law, will add 1 ($1.70) tax to economy class tickets for European flights and 4 for flying further afield.

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While the EU taxes it's citizens for airline flights, they ask developing countries to lower their expectations during negotiations over subsidies and refuse to make any real cuts.

Is this airline tax a good idea or a real effort to help Africa?
Portu Cale MK3
25-11-2005, 14:19
Bad Idea
Bad Idea
Bad Idea

Africa needs free and fair trade, not subsidies, and Europeans don't need more taxes, they need cheaper food brought by competition.
The Sutured Psyche
25-11-2005, 18:43
Bad Idea
Bad Idea
Bad Idea

Africa needs free and fair trade, not subsidies, and Europeans don't need more taxes, they need cheaper food brought by competition.

Exactly. Its refreshing to hear someone else who realizes this. If France (and the US) would just stop dumping heavily subsidized crops perhaps Africa would be able to build an economy of their own.

And before anyone flames, read this interview with James Shikwati.

http://service.spiegel.de/cache/international/spiegel/0,1518,363663,00.html