The leaders of Britain and Brazil called for tougher financial market regulations, and they urged countries to do more to stimulate their economies to combat the global financial crisis. British Prime Minister Gordon Brown also urged the Group of 20 economies to support the $100 billion expansion of trade finance. It's aimed at reversing the slowdown in world trade.

SOUNDBITE: British Prime Minister Gordon Brown

"It is absolutely vital that we move forward from this recession, that world trade is resumed to the benefit of all exporting and importing countries and the $100 billion dollar proposal is the minimum I believe we need to kick-start trade in the next few months."


This meeting with President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva comes just before Brown hosts the G20 summit in London on April 2. Lula blamed what he called "white blue-eyed" men for causing the economic downturn. He said rich nations should take greater responsibility.

SOUNDBITE: President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva

"(It is unfair) that the (poor) be the first to pay the bills of a crisis created by the rich -- not by any blacks, by any Indians, or by any poor. This is a crisis fomented by the irrational behavior of white and blue-eyed people, who before the crisis seemed to know everything."

The white, blue-suited leader beside him also criticized protectionism and called for the resumption of the multilateral Doha talks aimed at liberalizing trade.

The global economic downturn has not hit Brazil, Mexico and Argentina as hard as it has hit Europe and the United States. Brazil's more regulated market cushioned it from the fallout. Analysts say that may give them a bargaining advantage at the upcoming G20 meeting.

[ⓒ 시민일보. 무단전재-재배포 금지]