Quote:
|
Originally Posted by unlawflcombatnt
Trade policies of any nation are designed to better that nation itself. The doctrine of Comparative Advantage requires that both nations benefit and that trade increases total GDP in both countries. That is not what has been happening with U.S. trade policy. The increase in GDP and general betterment has occured exclusively in the 3rd world country (if at all), while reducing it in the United States.
|
I don't have a problem with this. Gross financial inequity is as unjust on a global scale as it is on a solely American economic scale. Please don't get me wrong, I am not in favor of giving multinationals free reign over the third world. What I do believe is that the best way to usher disadvantaged nations into the global economic fold is by giving people jobs -
something to lose. That is how it will start. It's been a while since I read anything about Mexico, but I think it is far too soon to be calling NAFTA either a success or a failure and most of what you read about it at this point is usually presented with a pro or con agenda. Yes, I am aware that many Mexicans in agriculture are struggling and have not benefitted from NAFTA. But millions of workers have gotten jobs that were not there before. And if I remember correctly, Mexico's GDP quadrupled within ten years of its enactment. I could be wrong about that, correct me if so.
Quote:
|
In the case of NAFTA, trade with the U.S. has made most Mexicans poorer, as well as costing 4 million American jobs. The only people benefitting from this outsourcing are the multinational Corporations, who've increased their profits by reducing labor costs.
|
It has made some Mexicans poorer and has benefitted some Mexicans. Again, I think anyone who is/was expecting to draw final conclusions from NAFTA's success or failure within 15 years is relying on pre-conceived biases.
Quote:
|
The goal of American trade policy has historically been to improve the American economy. If we want to help Vietnam, it should be through direct foreign aid to Vietnam and Vietnamese-owned businesses, not by giving assistance to American business & Corporations who want to substitute Vietnamese workers for American workers to lower their own costs of production for American markets.
|
1) I think the historic goals of American trade policy are history.
2) The only way Vietnamese-owned businesses are going to stake a claim in the global economy is by having a sound and secure Vietnamese economy to back them up. Giving aid to Vietnamese business owners is a great idea, but what we really need to do is foster an environment where more Vietnamese have the opportunity
to go into business. You cannot accomplish this with aid alone.
3) I strongly believe that America's conception of herself as an untarnishable superpower is going to change, has to change, will change whether we like it or not and ultimately I think that is a good thing.