My understanding that "goods" would include any physical commodity that fits into the standard commodity classification codes -- including manufactured products, raw materials, etc. I say this because trade figures generally list "goods" insofar as they are distinct from "services."
Exports of petroleum products to Mexico may have tripled, but keep in mind that since 1994 Mexico and Canada both surpassed Saudi Arabia as the largest foreign sources of crude oil for the U.S. -- and the crude oil imports from Mexico would be included in those figures as well. So this is one industry that actually turns the whole "manufacturing is going to Mexico" argument on its head. The U.S. imports a raw material from Mexico and sells back a finished product!
Are you suggesting the Ford, Carrier, GM, et al have NOT moved some production to Mexico?
Not at all. Are you suggesting that other companies didn't build new production facilities in the U.S. since 1994? In the auto industry alone there must be dozens of new plants that have been built in the U.S. since then -- mostly by foreign manufacturers like Daimler-Benz, BMW, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Kia etc.
“My understanding that “goods” would include any physical commodity that fits into the standard commodity classification codes — including manufactured products, raw materials, etc. I say this because trade figures generally list “goods” insofar as they are distinct from “services.” “
Ok. I just asked because imho, exporting a manufactured good is more desirable than an unmanufactured commodity.
So, Ex.: If we’re shipping coal to Mexico and they’re shipping us cars, and we’re STILL running a deficit...that’s very bad for the USA.
” So this is one industry that actually turns the whole “manufacturing is going to Mexico” argument on its head. The U.S. imports a raw material from Mexico and sells back a finished product! “
Right and that’s good for the USA.
The one caveat is:
While I DO see auto, television, air conditioning, etc, plants popping up all over Mexico creating great jobs there...I don’t really see any refineries popping up here creating an economic recovery. Again I don’t even think it’s legal to build a refinery here.
Are you suggesting the Ford, Carrier, GM, et al have NOT moved some production to Mexico?
“Not at all.”
Ok. So they have moved production to Mexico, and my point remains: That is bad.
Are you suggesting that other companies didn’t build new production facilities in the U.S. since 1994? In the auto industry alone there must be dozens of new plants that have been built in the U.S. since then — mostly by foreign manufacturers like Daimler-Benz, BMW, Hyundai, Volkswagen, Kia etc.”
Not at all, but I don’t see your point of your posts at all.
You seem to believe that while we’ve gone from a surplus to a deficit with Mexico, that’s all ok because exports are up.
Well, that may be true, but jobs are down. 95 million not working, 50 million on foodstamps.
We were much better off in ‘94 when we had a surplus.
As to the plants being built here, that’s great! We need more of that, from foreigners and domestic.
But what has that got to do with our plants leaving and trade deficit with Mexico?