Considering Hollywood's crap, rap music, and stupid reality shows that we are exporting, I can see the PM's point about overreaching US cultural influence
Hmmmm. Very good point.
As a resident of Thailand for much of each year, I agree with you and PM Howard. The influence of popular culture has little to do with basic Western Values and much to do with down and out slease. Countries with values compatible with ours should not mess with them or they are likely to emulate the Noam Chompksy / Michael Jackson / Micheal Moore branch of America.
Don't fall into that kind of lazy thinking. No one is forcing them to buy anything. If they don't like rap music, Hollywood movies, Starbucks, etc... they don't have to buy it. They also shouldn't confuse what we consume with our culture. They shouldn't blame us for their choices. (For all of France's complaints, the McDonald's in France are most profitable in Europe.) The US has no problems with appropriating other cultures these days.