Free Trade vs Protectionism

Eh, the public service might drive you crazy Espaldy. They're risk adverse, but funciton with the same lingo corporations do. Personally I do the work of a business analyst with diplomatic stuff thrown in for a fraction of the pay. Or, it's hardly an ideal solution.

But I think what we're all doing is making educated (or uneducated ) guesses about the future based on a continuation of the current model.

How will responses to climate change affect globalisation and free trade?



E_S

 

the public service

Is there much "service" in the public sector? The private sector outdoes its "service" day and night.

 

These days, yes. I can't speak beyond that, but we actually deliver a lot in our day to day activities.

E_S

 

http://www.economist.com/world/asia/displaystory.cfm?story_id=10329268

zomg God *does* love America!



E_S

 

Wow, E_S... That's uh, quite a bit smaller than China's original estimates.

 

Everyone's estimates. But it was always guess work given there was no attempt made to measure it.

Will this abate China bashing in the US congress?

I say...

No.

E_S

 

Sure isn't going to stop Obama...

 

I can't believe he said he would ban Chinese toys. I mean, seriously, that may have been the dumbest thing I've ever heard a presidential candidate say. Ever.

 

So, I've been out of it and haven't really been following the Presidential campaigns lately...

Did Obama really say he was going to ban imports of Chinese toys? If so, then I'd like some proof please.

 

E_S had a link posted somewhere in the 2008 elections thread with that quote highlighted.

Unfortunately I'm too technologically inept this morning to find it.

 

Courtesy of Google:

Proof

From the article (dated Dec 23, 2007):

Kimball Kinnison

 

Surely you haven't forgotten Freedom Fries?

Granted, a toy ban is econimically disastrous, but the Freedom Fries flap is definitely sillier than a Chinese toy ban.




EDIT: "Liberty Measles". Oh. My. Gawdddd.

 

If Chinese manufacturers can't keep lead off their toys, we should not be importing them. Does anyone really disagree with this?

Once our customs inspectors or consumer advocates, etc., have noted the problem, it seems to me the burden shifts to the Chinese to enforce product quality. Or else.

Obviously, there are other ways to take care of the problem, too. Start jailing Wal-Mart executives for every tainted product sold, for example.

 

Or instead of pissing the easily affronted Chinese off with a gesture designed to humiliate them, try working with them. I know Obama's a diplomatic infant, but often engagement is better than lofty dictations of expected protocol.

E_S

 

Engagement is almost always better. Hopefully Obama understands this despite the rhetoric. If you're looking for the most efficient cost-avoider in terms of policing product quality, it's likely to be a partnership between exporters, distributors, retailers, customs inspectors, manufacturers and the Chinese govt. But pressure from a White House administration to solve the problem under threat of heavy-handed action is not necessarily a bad thing.

 

US-China relations are already still pretty touchy, so yeah, you actually want gloves on and kiddie steps more than anything.

ES

 

I disagree if you're implying that it's the Chinese manufacturers who are at fault.

A reason why they use toxic products in their goods is because of the pressure placed on them by their employers--the oh-so-wonderful multinational corporations. MNCs hire only a small amount subcontractors in other countries (i.e., China) compared to the actual amount of factories bidding to be the subcontractor. The hired subcontractors, however, only receive a minimum "wage" from MNCs so with limited profit and a handful of other factories eager to replace them it's not surprising manufacturers cut corners instead of using high quality, toxic-free materials.

That's a option , although it's rather unlikely to happen.

Edit: I was just kidding about Wal-Mart.