From the Economist: Britain and America suffer from similar delusions on trade - excerpt: Once again, because his attention-span is highly limited, Donald Dork is looking desperately for a Quick-Fix Deal that he can plaster all over the nightly-news. (The guy is stumbling from one fiasco to another because he is inadept as a PotUS.) And this one will be the latest - only because Trade Deals (which his Little Mind cannot seem to grasp) are a major political issue in any country on earth that makes cars. And Why? Because it can greatly enhance economic activity or, otoh, reduce it. It all depends upon nationally held views of the matter. At present, Americans seem upset that "jobs have been shifted to Mexico". Yes, some have - but to the benefit of American industry. If making electric cable-groups for cars is cheaper in Mexico then American motor-car companies have a vested interest in doing it. Why? Because making an "All-American car" will price it out of the market as Americans flock to Far East model cars that are cheaper. Incorporating some lesser expensive elements "Made Abroad" into an essentially American-made car helps further sales in America (their principal market) - thus protecting American car-manufacturing jobs ...
Moreover, from the Washington Post (here): With an unemployment rate in the US of 4.3%, it is bumping against the lower-limit. There is a percentage of the population that is unemployable. What can be done is expand the employment category? Howwzat? The unemployment rate is based upon interviews (conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics) that ascertain as to whether individuals actually made an effort to be employed, but were not. That is, for instance, they had job interviews but no results. They are thus qualified as unemployed. Those "thinking about looking for a job" (their response when interviewed) are not counted as "unemployed". However - and this is psychologically important - those who are thinking about looking for a job can be pushed to do so when Job Opportunities are shown to be positive and not negative or neutral.
Our single best trade arrangement internationally is with the USA. The UK and USA. Awesome trade partners..... and yet no trade agreement between us. No trade deal. Lots of wannabe Hitler's would like to control our trade. But it all works so much better without Hitler2 sticking his nose in. The EU is protectionist towards the EU, just as France is protectionist for France. and the UK is once more protectionist fro the UK. The USA also puts the USA first. Now this royally pisses off the rest of the world that we don't prioritise over ourselves. They put themselves first and only ask that we too put them first. But we aren't total ****wits so we won't. Oh dear does the whole world not agree to be ruled by the EU? Who gives a ****. And yes, government employment statistics are bullshit the world over. What's new?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-41397181 I personally wish the UK didn't depend on a Canadian company for jobs, but it does and it's pitted us against Boeing and I hate that because, my country's got dirt on it's hands from Canada by the UK and Canada helping Bombardier undercut Boeing in America (Boeing's domestic market). Boeing also use Rolls Royce engines and have a subsidiary in the UK called Boeing UK. - So I hate this. It should be noted, American protectionism isn't just Trump, it was inevitable in the sense that both candidates waned it, not just Trump. https://www.cato.org/publications/c...ist-promises-would-do-serious-economic-damage
I really don't like the UK fighting back at Boeing for doing what I feel is right. I really don't want Northern Ireland's workers to be out of a job. I hate this.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/b...eresa-may-trump-tariff-commerce-a7969256.html To be honest... I'm planning to go to America next year when I finish my first year as a much deserved time off/holiday/vacation... and to get to where I want to go to (Eugene, OR from London, England) I'm going with Delta all the way... and on my inbound flight to Eugene from Salt Lake City (I'd have to connect) I'd be taking a CRJ 700 which was apparently made by Bombardier... Spoiler I plan to leave Eugene by train, head to Milwaukee and fly back to London/England via Minneapolis on (I checked) all Boeing... I hadn't even heard of the C series of jets before planning this and now a month or so in and the two plane makers of my trip are fussing about a contract with the airline for my trip, and also, now I think that the CRJ 700 was built in NI... (the way ppl have been going on) but, IDK. Just a thing I've noticed.
Yes, well that's just TS isn't it. You are still taking advantage of cheap-Chinese goods (since the 1990s) that have put thousands upon thousands of Americans out of work. But, Americans keep buying the cheap-Chinese goods like there was no-tomorrow. Seems like we-Yanks can't get enough of 'em - and NOW you get upset that a Canadian company is undercutting (yet again!) the costs of an American competitor? Why not just pull out of the WTO agreements that allows this to happen, shut America's import-doors and see what happens? Just try it - especially if you'd like a diminished lifestyle ... MY POINT: *Like it or not, Donald Dork not withstanding, world-trade has its rules and we must bend to them. Meaning what? *Those industrial jobs mostly hired unqualified workers. Many still do. But, the American Industrial sector, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, hires only 12% of the total American working-population. *Meaning if people want a good-paying, decent salary, they must go upmarket! *And to go up-market they need better work credentials that ONLY a post-secondary degree will allow them! *Which is why said-degree should be free, gratis and for nothing. Just like are today the primary- and secondary-schooling degrees! *(And like both Bernie and Hillary had promised them!!!)
What we as consumers like or do not like is decided by what we buy. Our concerns are typically individual and sectoral. But markets are not. If airplanes must be built to carry people, then those who best know how to build airplanes will prevail. That is the law of markets. No, I don't believe all markets are fair and competitive. A lot are rigged! Aint nuthin we can do about it in the US - or we would have done it. I figure no party wants to spoil corporate donations - which is why there have been no major "market-aggregation trials" to up-end concentrations that generate higher profits by reducing competition ... ...
The rigging of the American market against an American company was done by UK and Canada when UK and Canada propped up this competitor company with our tax payer money. America have every right to impose this import duty and Boeing have every right to complain this contract with Delta that Bombardier won by undercutting Boeing with funds from tax payers in UK and Canada - It's up to Delta who Delta choose, but this import duty makes things fairer since Boeing couldn't compete with Bombardier's use of public funds.
I'm sure if Bombardier didn't use public money, it'll be okay, but they did and this means people who pay tax have to help out, which is never fair.
That's your personal interpretation of the story. And you are naive to think the US does not do the same in reverse. Everybody does, and even I have done it to get computer equipment from the company in the US I worked for into the EU without formal inspection. One must have a shut-tight case to win a legal batter in international trade. No, it doesn't. Ever hear of the World Trade Organization that is vehicle for negotiating taxation schedules between countries? I doubt it ... One does not impose UNILATERALLY trade tariffs - they are argued at the WTO. America is free to leave the WTO; in which case we, the sheeple consumers, will be paying higher prices for the cheap-Chinese goodies at Walmart ...
If China uses slaves to build Halloween decorations for Walmart to sell, one less tyrant (N. Korea) will profit. Still doesn't mean I'd go out of my way to buy things made in China though.
