We import poisin from China, we export cows with brain disease to Japan and import the same mad cows from Canada, but we refuse to allow agricultural products from Africa. What's the story.

The lunatics are running the global asylum!

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In times of universal deceit the love of truth becomes the most radical of all ideologies.

Still a Caveman? - Your Mind is Controlled - The Brainwashing of the West - Your thoughts are not your own

Veritax Vox Liberabit

I hope you do not believe that, you will regret it when all jobs have gone to China and India because they work harder for less.

I'd say that they are worked harder for less.

If you're detecting hypocrasy Celestrial Child, I'd suggest you just follow the money in each case; Where it is, where it isn't and where its going. As far as the African thing goes, I thinks its basic keeping prices where your growers want them/less competition.

Basically we illiminate certain industries domestically, only to have to bring them back and re-tool, relearn, etc once the Chinese have improved their standard of living. Once the office workers start feeling the pain that factory workers are feeling, then we'll start flirting with more protectionism. Those that sit on their butts, make the decisions.

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Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness ~Thomas Paine

Protectionism in agriculture is quite common. Same thing in Europe: It would actually be more efficient to import agricultural products from Africa, but the strong lobby and autarcic concerns prevent that, the latter is pretty outdated imo.

True. We also use our abundance of food for political bargaining with other poorer nations.

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Society is produced by our wants and government by our wickedness ~Thomas Paine

It's certainly not for lack of quality. Rwandan coffee and Nigerian cotton are some of the best in the world, and they can be acquired at a much lower rate than is possible anywhere else.

It's not because it would hurt our economy. Free trade, as any economist will tell you, is one of the most important factors in boosting a nation's economy and global prosperity in general. Increased, untaxed trade between the West and Africa would benefit both sides greatly.

Now, I'm certainly not an expert in international business, but even I can see what's behind this. Agribusiness lobbyists have long held a choke hold on our Congress, and until we shake ourselves free of their influence, both the US and Africa will be missing a golden opportunity.

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Men of England, heirs of Glory,
Heroes of unwritten story,
Nurslings of one mighty Mother,
Hopes of her, and one another;

Rise like Lions after slumber
In unvanquishable number,
Shake your chains to earth like dew
Which in sleep had fallen on you -
Ye are many - they are few.

- Percy Shelley, "The Masque of Anarchy"

I doubt this trade would increase prosperity in Africa as much as is hopeful.

Agribusiness, although powerful, is completely necessary. It is not just necessary, but a necessity. This is one area which cannot be outsourced and D.C. knows this. The lobbyists do also. If we outsource ag business...well, let us not impose our sustenance of life on the terms of other nations. Then we begin wars in Africa...

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"Gimme some truth, now whose side are we on? Whatever you say, turn on the boob tube I'm in the mood to obey" Jack Johnson