Posted on 03/16/2009 3:54:30 PM PDT by rabscuttle385
MEXICO CITY (AFP) — Mexico on Monday said it would place tariffs on nearly 90 US products after Washington canceled a program that allowed some trucks from Mexico to operate in the United States.
There is to be an "increase in customs duty on almost 90 industrial and agricultural products," Economy Minister Gerardo Ruiz Mateos said in a statement.
Ruiz said the increase would represent some 2.4 billion dollars, but did not name the products.
. . . . .
The move drew a sharp rebuke from US Senator John McCain, who said he regretted Mexico's decision and also lashed out at US President Barack Obama and lawmakers for backing "protectionist" policies.
"I deeply regret the action taken by the Mexican government and the harm it may cause to American businesses," said McCain, who lost his bid for the presidency in 2008 to Obama.
"Unfortunately, this is a predictable reaction by the Mexican government to a policy that now puts the United States in clear violation of the North American Free Trade Agreement," he added.
"We must take steps to prevent escalation of further protectionist measures -- actions that only serve to harm American business during these tough economic times when these businesses need a worldwide marketplace to prosper."
(Excerpt) Read more at google.com ...
Apprently we never traded with anyone till the WTO came along and saved us. LOL
I can point to the sections of the Constitution dealing with business and international affairs. Can you point to a section where either is prohibited?
So you are saying that a Mexican truck could speed? Straddle both lanes? Drive against traffic?
Which US safety standards could they ignore?
No. I’m for bilateral trade deals, generally. They can be negotiated by trade experts in the executive administration or the congress, voted on by congress and signed by the president. We managed to survive for 200 years without the WTO. I do not agree with giving ANY supranational or international entity a say in our trade policy.
Your comment reads splendidly if you hum The Internationale as background. Is it Marx?
I can point to sections that say who gets to regulate it. And im fascinated to hear your argument that they thought trade should be utterly unregulated,,,and how you think we will play unrestrained in that arena internationally without being subject to international control. EU courts,, WTO,,the coming UN banking regulations etc.
The earliest threads concerning Mexican trucks years and years ago [1rudeboy leans on his cane] had some people arguing that the trucks would have some form of rolling diplomatic immunity. It was hilarious.
No. Free trade is not best, managed by no one. Think Loral and China.
I would also be fascinated to hear someone make that argument. I haven't seen it yet.
Yet, YOU subject us to the UN banking and WTO and EU courts. Maybe its you thats humming the internationale. Cripplecreek is humming “Yankee Doodle”.
You hit the nail on the head. Sovereignty. While there is no assurances the dimwits in congress can “manage” trade any better than the globalist retards at the WTO, at least they are authorized by the Constitution to attempt it.
"While seizing commercial opportunities is important, doing it safely is vital. That is why I traveled to Monterrey, Mexico, yesterday to announce that U.S. inspectors will conduct in-person safety audits to make sure that participating Mexican companies meet every United States safety regulation on the books.
The inspection program is tough, and it is meant to ensure safe operation of trucks crossing our border. Drivers must have a valid commercial driver’s license, carry proof that they are medically fit, and comply with United States hours-of-service rules. And they must be able to understand and respond in English to questions and directions from inspectors.
The trucks must be insured by a U.S.-licensed firm. And from hood to tail-lamps, they must meet United States safety standards, including brakes, turn signals, and cargo-securing equipment.
Companies that satisfy these safety standards and are accepted into the demonstration program will be allowed to operate beyond the border areas to make international deliveries and pick-ups only. Mexican trucks will not be able to pick up goods in one U.S. city for delivery to another. And no trucks hauling hazardous materials or buses carrying passengers will be involved."
They would not have to have US Vehicle inspections, to check the brakes, tires, headlights, taillights ...
How many divisions does the WTO have?
You are
White House wants new US-Mexico trucking program
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hMg7roo3GVnCyoLk33xxsL8wwF6QD96VA7N02
Washington Starts Another Trade War
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123716220589235727.html?mod=WSJ_topics_obama
In violation of the North American Free Trade Agreement, the U.S. last week again closed its southern border to any Mexican trucks additional to those with existing permits. It did so on the usual grounds that Mexican trucks are unsafe, even though that hoary claim has been demolished by extensive testing. But Congress and President Barack Obama are catering to the Teamsters union, which has spent more than a decade lobbying to keep Mexican competition off U.S. highways.
Mexican trucking in the U.S. is not new. More than 800 Mexican carriers — all of which are majority owned by Americans — have permits that were grandfathered more than 20 years ago. And their safety record is enviable. A 2007 DOT study of the performance of Mexican carriers in the U.S. from 2003-2006 found Mexican trucks to be safer than U.S. trucks. Even Mexican short-haul trucks operating in the border zone had a better record than U.S. trucks.
Now you are quoting Stalin? Wow,, and they have enough when the US Govt enforces their rulings,,,huh?
No, I’m not. It’s not even a particularly good strawman argument.
And in response we should stop exporting to them and put tens of thousands, maybe more, Americans out of work. Yeah, that'll teach 'em!
Not to mention the fact that we have a 65 billion trade deficit with Mexico
Mexico has oil and we buy it? I'm shocked. Do we export more to Mexico since NAFTA passed or less? If more, how much more? Do those billions and billions in new exports support jobs for Americans?
Mexico has a lot of problems and those problems negatively impact the US. But to cut off trade with our #2 trading partner wouldn't alleviate any of them but it would send lots of Americans to the unemployment line.
The next time you want to reply, maybe you should engage your brain before posting. Calling for a total ban on trade is an emotional reaction but telling someone who sees the ridiculousness of such an idea to move to Mexico is just plain stupid.
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