Britain's Brown warns US against protectionism - (speaking before Congress)

WASHINGTON – British Prime Minister Gordon Brown called on Americans Wednesday to look up from their own tumbling financial markets to see a world gripped by an "economic hurricane" that could be turned around with U.S. help.

In a formal address to a Joint Meeting of Congress, Brown asserted all is not bad. He predicted that the global economy could double in size over the next 20 years as billions of people move from being producers to consumers.

This ballooning market, Brown argued, presents unprecedented opportunities, so long as governmental leaders understand that their economic policies are felt all over the world.

"Should we succumb to a race to the bottom and a protectionism that history tells us that, in the end, protects no one?" Brown said to members of the House and Senate gathered together for his talk. "No," he declared.

"We should have the confidence that we can seize the opportunities ahead and make the future work for us," Brown added.

The prime minister's address, attended by the customary parliamentary procedures and introductory niceties so well known to Congress, was the first by a foreign leader since President Barack Obama took office. It came as both Brown and Obama struggle to increase investor confidence and repair damage to markets battered by the U.S. housing crisis.

It also came as Brown, who trails behind the conservative opposition in British opinion polls, was looking for his own political boost. Supporters had hoped his appearance this week with the popular U.S. president and plans to lead an international economic summit next month would help shore up support for the prime minister.

Brown's remarks were greeted with thunderous applause by U.S. lawmakers assembled in the cavernous House chamber. Following the speech, Brown was embraced by Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., whose father Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., had been awarded honorary knighthood by Britain.
More at: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090304/ap_on_go_co/us_britain