US's War on Trade

[runningman]

The US is really pissing off Canadians with this one.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/14/AR2009051404241.html

[Jenks]

Re: US's War on Trade

oh noes!!!

[floridaorange]

Re: US's War on Trade

The US is really pissing off Canadians with this one.

John Hayward, president of Hayward Gordon, a Canadian manufacturer of pumps used in water works projects, says:

"We're not China. We're not even Mexico. We have the same relative cost of labor as you do," he said. "If we have a better price, you should buy from us. That's what competition is supposed to be about."

To stay in business, Hayward is considering moving some manufacturing operations to the United States, potentially creating jobs here. That, Peru Mayor Jim Walker notes, is what the stimulus was supposed to be about.

"You're trying to get America turned around, trying to put Americans back to work," Walker said. "And if American taxpayers are paying for this, well then, Americans deserve the benefits."


Sorry RM, but what do you want? As the leader of the free world, America has to put itself first during this economic crisis. Canada is welcome to come up with great ideas that benefit them. Ever heard the saying "adapt or die."

[Yao]

Re: US's War on Trade

This is fun: al this bullshit about free trade and open markets, and now look what's happening. Some extraordinary accounts here maybe, but in general many countries are making a move back to protectionism, be it small scale or bigger.

[runningman]

Re: US's War on Trade

Yao holy shit.. how you been?? Maybe I'm in the wrong section but I haven't seen you in a long time.

I get it, but at the same time globalization was the promise and the first chance he gets it is about USA.. I'm just saying that Canucks are pissed.

[floridaorange]

Re: US's War on Trade

^When you help one person somewhere your helping everyone everywhere. Besides, he kind of has to prioritize, wouldn't you say?

[Shpira]

Re: US's War on Trade

No. Floridaorange you are wrong. In the past the WTO got on the back of so many countries that practiced protectionism and the US imposed strict measures against such nations even though they were facing economic difficulties and were just like the US now forced to do so...
In reality this is a clear example of double standards. When its a developing country then they should have their economies raped and pilaged by the west but when the west itself is in trouble then it back to the drawing board. There is nothing anyone can do about it but it just goes to show that the economic policies propagated by teh US and the west in the past are NOT the best way to go forward.

If the US was true to its capitalist beliefs it would not do this because its "anti-American"...lol so fucking stupid.

prioritize? When Hugo Chavez prioritized the whole world called him a dictator...when Brazil provided stimulus to parts of its economy in 2000 it faced WTO sanctions. Its fucking bullshit if you ask me. . .this economic situation demonstrates what some already knew...that the age of empire is still with us.

[Miroslav]

Re: US's War on Trade

^^ you know, I can't say I disagree with you on this one. Well said...I think there is a double standard going on here to a good extent. I do also agree that not much can be done with the US, though.

[floridaorange]

Re: US's War on Trade

Providing leadership and management and good stewardship simultaneously is never easy. The tough decisions that are being made now in an effort to undo much of the damage that has been caused over the last 8 years have to be made now.

[runningman]

Re: US's War on Trade

oh enough of that 8 years ago stuff. He has been touting across the globe about globalization and then whispers protectionism at home. I get why he is doing it though. I just don't like that he took a tour of the world a bit ago and was selling globalization.

You see we always find out whatever a politician says expect the opposite.

[floridaorange]

Re: US's War on Trade

^But the 8 year bush regime has left a legitemately devastating 8 year long footprint. It's all to easy to point out the negatives within the tough decisions the new administration has been left to make, that's all I'm trying to reiterate.

[Shpira]

Re: US's War on Trade

^^You shouldn't make excuses for his actions really. This is a pretty black and white issue (no pun intended)...and its all black. Any kind of trade barriers are a big no no. If other countries follow suit everyone will be fucked including the US... No nation is self sufficient.

[Yao]

Re: US's War on Trade

Yao holy shit.. how you been?? Maybe I'm in the wrong section but I haven't seen you in a long time.

I get it, but at the same time globalization was the promise and the first chance he gets it is about USA.. I'm just saying that Canucks are pissed.

Busy as f*uck bro, trying to make it in the design industry and that went well...until the crisis hit (my company mainly had car companies as their client. Stupid). Thanks to that I'm back to my thesis again which has been left waiting all the time, and hence I've been diving into politics a lot more lately. Especially African though, that's still my game. I guess my thesis won't be received too happily by Africans that are interested, since it's arguing that corruption, graft and malgovernance are still at the core of Africa's underdevelopment.

On topic: double standards is, always has been and always will be what politics is about, let's face it. For some reason the ideologically motivated people never end up in politics (or at least never in power), rather on the sidelines or in those crappy NGO's, led by the same breed as politicians. They just let the footsoldiers do all the work without any significant results. Poor saps.

Funny theory of mine: since the West is still maintaining a mercantilist attitude towards the 3rd world despite all the development aid flowing that direction (trade barriers & tariffs), maybe protectionism is exactly what Africa should implement. However, that would also require some decent governming...lol. Not surprisingly they are increasingly turning towards the East for their ecnomic ties. China and Taiwan don't play around, they're just after the money. In that sense they are acting more liberal than we pretend to .

[day_for_night]

Re: US's War on Trade

Sorry RM, but what do you want? As the leader of the free world, America has to put itself first during this economic crisis. Canada is welcome to come up with great ideas that benefit them. Ever heard the saying "adapt or die."

the problem is that by adopting protectionist policies, the US is not putting itself first. it may seem like a short term win, but global free trade makes goods cheaper for all parties involved. why do you think shit is so cheap at wal-mart? when you start screwing with that, you make it more expensive for the average american family.

and if you piss us off enough, we'll just turn off the taps on all the fresh water and oil we send every day. the united states relies on canada far too much nowadays for it to be taking us for granted. we are the #1 supplier of oil to the US (and are only going to grow in that regard). oh, and violating NAFTA is always an added argument against this. you can't just go around breaking rules of treaties you signed...

[Yao]

Re: US's War on Trade

Sorry RM, but what do you want? As the leader of the free world, America has to put itself first during this economic crisis. Canada is welcome to come up with great ideas that benefit them. Ever heard the saying "adapt or die."

I missed this until RM quoted you Flo, but seriously: if you are in favor of a free market, you are contradicting yourself with this statement. Protectionism is exactly what your American Bretton Woods institutions are trying to discourage all over the planet under the guise that free trade and market access for every economy will only benefit those that are part of it.

It's a bit weird that the biggest champion of the free market now seems to be afraid of it.