As America focuses on a 4-year war, China is becoming a significant superpower in the world economy. This is in part due to expanded trade initiatives with impoverished African nations. The beauty of the arrangement is that China benefits by receiving goods at lower costs, while boosting the economy of particular developing nations they trade with. As these relationships grow, so too does Chinas economy. In return, the said African countries become more self sufficient and less dependent on foreign aid. In addition, countries with higher economic standing become less likely to partake in corruption and government breakdown that offers terrorist ideal conditions to exist and train. This quite literally becomes a win-win scenario. Is it time for the US to re-examine its trade policies to encompass new and stronger relations with African countries that can offer our country the same symbiotic relationships? Would you support such a measure and why?
2007-02-15 05:30:00 · 9 answers · asked by waitingon2angels 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Yes, this is how free trade works. It is a win-win situation.
And as far as I know, the US is always looking for trade partners. However, there are many in the US,(primarily on the left) who push for more protectionist measures, arguing that these trading policies hurt our domestic industry while at the same time exploiting the "poor African workers".
They don't seem to understand the mutual gains, or for that matter the benefits of exploiting comparative advantages.
And to answer your question, yes, I support these measures.
Wait and see. I'm sure that many answers will demonstrate this perfectly.
2007-02-15 05:36:48 · answer #1 · answered by Time to Shrug, Atlas 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
this is not a question really but a rant proposing favored trade status for African countries. As bad as China is it is still a stable country while African countries change leadership, nationalize property and ravage foreign workers on a regular basis. Look at South Africa, once a prosperous nation the political instability has killed the economy. US does not need to have trade partners who will not pay bills, honor tariffs, human rights and trade rules. China may be exploiting African nations but its a dangerous policy because Africa has little to offer and you must be saying that African nations are not sweat shop industries. What do we do about human rights abuses in the African economies? It is worse than even in China.
2007-02-15 13:37:13 · answer #2 · answered by Tom W 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
A problem is that the "receiving goods at lower costs" is often related to the cost of labor. That is part of the reason jobs once done in the US are now done in China...the ability to pay ever-lower wages combined with the ability to repress its citizenry if they object. So the tradeoff appears: further deterioration of the manufacturing base (since we are not talking about jobs like marketing and attorneys here) for working class America, in change for the belief that there will be less terrorism. The aid issue won't benefit American taxpayers; the aid or amounts will just be sent elsewhere.
2007-02-15 13:36:58 · answer #3 · answered by kingstubborn 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Each time we open up more trade or complete a war, our Country is filled with an influx of people from those countries.
And it is not the people that can take care of themselves or are educated who chose to come here. We get the non-educated poorest there is. I don't know how much longer this can continue before this Country is brought to its knees. The middle class is the backbone of this Country and we are the ones that have to support the immigrants. We can't do it much longer.
2007-02-15 13:51:20 · answer #4 · answered by Lou 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
China has made serious inroads in Africa. You are 100% correct about that. The US should follow suit before the entire African market is supported by China. Even European countries are losing clout in Africa because of China's involvement in that continent. I think China has already brought stability there, even though it still has far to go.
2007-02-15 13:48:12 · answer #5 · answered by mac 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let the Chinese spend their blood and treasure to stabilize Africa---if they are enjoying such a good trade relationship, then this should be fairly high on their agenda.
If in fact the trade is as good as you suggest.
2007-02-15 13:39:29 · answer #6 · answered by KERMIT M 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Africa will never be stable. There are too many poor uneducated people there. Usually the first victims over there are the school teachers.
2007-02-15 13:33:50 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
didn't China get rich by making the richest country in the world's sh*t for a nickel and selling it back to them for a dolla?
2007-02-15 13:36:01 · answer #8 · answered by (_)iiiiD 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Rose colored glasses are exported from China.
2007-02-15 13:35:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋