Posted on 04/30/2013 6:18:19 PM PDT by expat_panama
For anybody disheartened about years of disappointing economic news, Japan's recent announcement that it intends to join the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) offers a real reason to celebrate.
Free trade agreements (FTAs) historically are some of the most surefire ways to open up new markets to U.S. exporters while enhancing American interests abroad. They create economic growth by fostering innovation and efficiency and, as a bonus, they generally produce invaluable political benefits.
As FTAs go, Japan's participation in TPP makes this trade pact the Super Bowl and the World Cup of trade agreements wrapped into one. It's a game changer.
It will give American exporters increased access to Japan, a $5.4 trillion economy — the third largest in the world — and one with which the U.S. now has no FTA in place. TPP will eliminate tariff and nontariff barriers inside Japan, letting more U.S. industries export goods and services to Japan...
(SNIP)
TPP is moving forward — with or without Japan. But without Japan's participation, any benefits to the U.S. economy will be marginal, at best. Does anyone believe the status quo is preferable to an economy in which U.S. exporters are suddenly granted new market access to one of the largest economies in the world?
President Obama took a decidedly protectionist position when he campaigned against Sen. John McCain in 2008.
By bringing Japan into TPP and sealing this critical economic and strategic partnership, he has a valuable, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to bring tangible benefits for U.S. industries while cementing his legacy as a free trader. It's an opportunity that should not go to waste.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.investors.com ...
Don’t you have any micro-breweries there?
Anheuser-Busch was bought by InBev (Belgians). Does that make it an import now? :)
Should I buy the Nissan made in Mississippi, or the Chevy made in Mexico?
It's hard to be Patriot Consumer...
free Trade does not work....and there is no evidence it does. Period
Let me submit exhibit one: The United States of America. Long the largest free trade zone in the world. We’re also the wealthiest in the world.
Again. No proof Free Trade works. Prove it with facts...
Plenty. But I’m a lager-drinker . . . so people can take their over-hopped ales and shove them.
Ok. North Korea. "Free trade" haven, or not?
Still does not prove Free Trade works
Actually, #6 on that list...Norway....has arguably the highest tariffs in the world. And, not a member of the EU
The other nations ranked high also manufacture very little. Their economic strength is based on having favorable banking rules. OK, Liechtenstien does produce a lot of False Teeth
Government already runs Free Trade. Look at all the laws we have to pass to enforce “Free” trade
Who do you think runs the EU? The Trade Fairy?
Did you just pull that out of your ass?
Oh, a beer hater. I hear Coors has practically no flavor...especially when chilled to almost freezing.
Ok. North Korea. “Free trade” haven, or not?
Actually....US Free Trade with Communist China keeps their government afloat, by proxy. And, NoKo has trade agreements w So Korea...even joint factories...until a few weeks ago
Commies love Free Trade
Norway: The trade-weighted average tariff rate is one of the world’s lowest at 0.4 percent. Although there are some trade-distorting agricultural subsidies, non-tariff barriers are largely nominal and not burdensome.
When my friends see me drinking Coors or Coors Light, they know I’m trying to sober up.
Actually, #6 on that list...Norway....has arguably the highest tariffs in the world.
Did you just pull that out of your ass?
No. Its fact
Obviously you posses neither the facts nor the intelligence to discuss the issue of Free Trade.
But, hey, expected from people who support the same economics like Al Gore, George Soros, Karl Marx, Bill and Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, and all the Liberals in both parties and major universities who keep pushing failed Free Trade
Lemme guess....you have a Cypriot bank account?
You meant to add, "arguably." That's the signal for "I don't know what the hell I'm talking about."
I posted my source, Heritage . . . put up or shut up.
There is no freedom in having trillions of dollars of deficits with COMMUNIST China
Norway: The trade-weighted average tariff rate is one of the world’s lowest at 0.4 percent. Although there are some trade-distorting agricultural subsidies, non-tariff barriers are largely nominal and not burdensome.
The Heritage Foundation
Wrong.
They have some of the highest tariffs in the western world.
I’ll just take your word for it, then. Who are those folks over at Heritage, anyway? /s
| TRADE POLICY | ||||||||||||||
| WTO accession | 1 January 1995 | |||||||||||||
| Trade Policy Review | 9, 11 October 2012 | |||||||||||||
| GPA accession | 1 January 1996 | |||||||||||||
| Tariffs and duty free imports | ||||||||||||||
| Tariff binding coverage (%) | 100 | |||||||||||||
| MFN tariffs | Final bound | Applied 2011 | ||||||||||||
| Simple average of import duties | ||||||||||||||
| All goods | 20.3 | 7.8 | ||||||||||||
| Agricultural goods (AOA) | 132.7 | 55.8 | ||||||||||||
| Non-agricultural goods | 3.2 | 0.5 | ||||||||||||
| Non ad-valorem duties (% total tariff lines) | 10.6 | 6.8 | ||||||||||||
| MFN duty free imports (%, 2010) | ||||||||||||||
| in agricultural goods (AOA) | 43.3 | |||||||||||||
| in non-agricultural goods | 96.4 | |||||||||||||
| Services sectors with GATS commitments | 111 | |||||||||||||
Yes! Those that want to control everything, don't want to control trade. LOL!
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