Free Republic

The trade advantages of being in the European Union single market are “imaginary” and have not helped British exports, according to a new report. It claims the UK’s exports to Europe have grown at a slower rate than our trade with other leading countries outside the EU bloc, over the past four decades. And the proportion of EU trade within Britain’s total exports of goods and services abroad, is no higher than when Britain joined the European Economic Community in 1973, at just over 60 percent. Meanwhile, it points out that Britain’s trade with countries outside the EU—such Iceland, Norway...

One of the standard arguments about Britain’s membership of the European Union is that it’s vital that we stay in because so much of our trade is with other European Union countries. Implicit in this is the claim that this is a result of our being in the EU. The dropping of trade restrictions resulting from the Single Market rules for example. The problem with this argument is that it depends upon an empirical claim: that Britain’s trade with the European Union countries has increased since the foundation of that Single Market. And it turns out that that doesn’t seem...

The Finnish Chancellor of Justice is currently investigating for possible irregularities and discriminatory treatment after the Swedish School of Social Science released documents relating to their decision to reject an internationally renowned SPACEPOL expert's candidacy for a limited track researcher position. According to SPACEPOL CEO Gunnar K. A. Njalsson, the released documents expose a process of candidate evaluation riddled with inconsistencies and lack of academic integrity. FALSE AND EMBELLISHED EXPERT STATEMENTS The focus of CEO Njalsson's particular concern is on so-called expert comments, requested by the Research Centre Board of the Swedish School of Social Science and submitted by nine...

WASHINGTON (AP) - Elizabeth Edwards says avoiding the "Made in China" label on toys is not exactly child's play. With millions of recalls rolling in this year because of lead in toys, Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards vowed during a debate there would be no Chinese made gifts under his Christmas tree. But, the former North Carolina senator says he immediately had to check with his wife to make sure he was right. The Edwards campaign says the kids will be unwrapping U.S.-made toys, but wouldn't get into the specifics as not to spoil anyone's gifts.

U.S. Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez REMARKS TO ASIA SOCIETY March 14, 2006 Washington, DC(Remarks As Prepared for Delivery)   Thank you for those kind words, Diana. I also want to thank the Asia Society for its leadership in promoting understanding between America and the countries in the Asia-Pacific region. As our economies have become more interconnected, I know your educational programs have expanded to include globalization. Today I'd like to focus on one critical aspect: the U.S. China economic relationship. As you know, President Bush and this Administration strongly believe in the power of free and fair trade...

Technology will make labeling battles moot. Labeling is back in the news because of one mad cow. Actually, the Canadian Holstein seems to have been pretty well labeled. Investigators were able to use her paper trail to trace her north of the border and then confirm it by testing her DNA. Instead of slaughtering 450 calves in order to kill the mad one's progeny, they could have DNA testing to fin the calf—probably still too expensive. In any case, Washington state's single mad cow is now propelling the usual gaggle of "consumer advocates" to push Congress to adopt new labeling...

WASHINGTON - The Bush administration released its annual review of the trade barriers U.S. exporters face in trying to sell their products around the world, singling out 56 trading partners for erecting unfair barriers to American products. "Bringing down barriers to trade promotes growth and prosperity," U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick said Tuesday in releasing the 2003 edition of the National Trade Estimate Report. "The Bush administration is committed to identifying unfair barriers to U.S. exports and to working aggressively with our trading partners to eliminate those barriers," Zoellick said. The annual report is used by the administration to identify...