Trade can help improve people’s lives. Since 1985, China’s rapid economic growth has lifted over 200 million people out of poverty.

The current system tends to favour keeping rich countries rich. For example, government subsidies to cotton farmers in the US make cotton so cheap that most African farmers can’t compete.

It’s not enough just to open our doors to goods from developing countries. They need help with infrastructure (like roads, electricity and water supplies), to make the country a good place to invest, and cut the time that exporters waste in customs.

The UK is working with the WTO (World Trade Organisation) to make sure that trade talks give poor countries a chance to trade their way out of poverty.