What world needs is regulated globalisation: Hollande

SINGAPORE — Hitting out at a global wave of populism and protectionism, French President Francois Hollande said what the world needs is “regulated globalisation” and continued strengthening of international regulations.

Delivering the 40th Singapore Lecture yesterday afternoon on France and Singapore, Strategic Partners in a Fast-Changing World, the visiting French leader said looking inwards could have severe consequences and the results of these choices must be explained to people.

“The United States again made a number of decisions and made some choices that will have an impact on its own economy and on the rest of the world,’’ Mr Hollande said, addressing the audience in French.

“We must explain what the closing down of borders is all about. What building of a wall means. What an unfair and inappropriate migratory policy means because it could target nationals of only one country, for instance,” he said, referring to policies that are being implemented by President Donald Trump.

In a stout defence of the open exchange of ideas and people as well as goods and services, Mr Hollande added that the “temptation to look inwards is not only dangerous but it leads to a dead end”.

Other solutions to the world’s problems can be found in what he termed “regulated globalisation”, adding that this should be based on the sovereignty of nations and with the involvement of international organisations, particularly the United Nations (UN).

Those who criticise the UN are actually diminishing the ability of world governance to find solutions for conflicts, he said.

“There cannot be strengthening of nations at the detriment of international regulations.”

Mr Hollande added that some politicians have found it easy to sway public opinion with talk that tweaking taxes and duties would help protect jobs.

“We know that these proposals and these policies would do just the contrary, because over the past 60 years (after World War II), world growth was supported and carried by the refusal of protectionism,” he stated.

Mr Trump has signalled a more protectionist and isolationist stance towards policy-making.

He has pledged to build a wall along the border with Mexico.

The controversial leader has also announced two executive orders in an attempt to block travellers from several predominantly-Muslim countries but the orders have been frozen by the courts.

He has also announced the US’ withdrawal from the landmark Trans-Pacific Partnership trade pact process and dismissed the UN, casting a shadow over the future of economic globalisation and multilateralism.

Earlier this month, the world’s top economic powers dropped a pledge to fully oppose trade protectionism at the Group of 20 meeting in Germany, amid pushback from Washington.

Turning to common threats faced by the international community including terrorism, Mr Hollande said “our victory will depend on our resolve and ability to work together in prevention, protection and reaction”, while adding that both France and Singapore share this approach.

He spoke on the need to reject hate speech and discriminatory speech, noting that when France was struck by terror attacks, he made sure national cohesion was preserved.

“Everyone has freedom of having (his or her) own religion or have none, but at the same time, everyone (must) abide by common rules. The state must protect places of worship,” he said.

The lecture, organised by the Iseas-Yusof Ishak Institute, was attended by more than 1,000 people, including ministers from both countries, policymakers, academics and members of the public. The session was moderated by Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic and Social Policies Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

Earlier in the day, the visiting French leader met and was hosted to lunch by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

A press statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) yesterday evening said both leaders reviewed substantial and broad-based bilateral relations.

“They welcomed the strong progress in the bilateral relationship since the signing of the Joint Declaration on Strategic Partnership in 2012. This included an expansion in trade, defence, culture, security, cyber security, as well as education and research ties,” said the statement, adding that Mr Lee thanked Mr Hollande for France’s hosting of the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s Advanced Jet Training detachment in Cazaux that will mark its 20th anniversary in 2018.

The statement also said that both leaders supported greater collaboration in innovation.

“They welcomed the Joint Declaration of Innovation issued in conjunction with the visit.

“The leaders also agreed that the ratification of the EU-Singapore Free Trade Agreement will bring benefits to both countries, and help to strengthen ties between the two countries and regions. They noted that Singapore and France share common views on the importance of free trade and remaining outward-looking,” added the statement.

Mr Lee and Mr Hollande witnessed the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and agreements ranging from research and innovation, cooperative activities in space, waste recycling and exchange of financial account information.

The French President departed Singapore yesterday evening for Malaysia, the second leg of his trip to South-east Asia.

He will also visit Indonesia later in the week. WITH AGENCIES