[Vision2020] Dispel the anti-growth myth

[Andreas Schou]

Jeff --

With regard to protectionism--you *are* aware that China's peg of the
yuan to the dollar gives them a substantial export advantage? And
undervalues their currency by roughly  35%?

Why is it that you support foreign protectionism?

-- ACS

On 10/30/07, Jeff Harkins <jeffh at moscow.com> wrote:
> Oh BJ,
>
> You're fishing for a response huh.
>
> My record on advocating economic development for Moscow through
> exports is well established.  But unlike you, so is my record on free markets.
>
> The Chinese have every right to compete with us.  Fortunately, the US
> government (and many of our trading partners) have used "market
> access" to begin to address Chinese human rights issues, pollution
> and a host of other problems). From what I am seeing with Chinese
> students in the classroom, that policy is having significant
> effect.  And so, they are becoming a part of the world stage.  They
> are hosting international golf tournaments, world class events (FIFA
> soccer) and so forth - .  But why would you target only China.  There
> are a lot of low cost producers out there in the world and many of
> them are causing the transfer of jobs to their country.  Many US
> firms have moved their production facilities to Mexico.  Would you
> ban them as well?
>
> WalMart is a US based corporation.  You want to control them - and
> let's suppose you do.  Who's next?  What US company would you target
> next?  What country of origin is next on your list?  Where does it
> end for you?
>
> And WalMart and any other store or business has the right to purchase
> Chinese goods for sale in the US.  You might want to walk around the
> retail stores in Moscow and look to see how many of them carry goods
> imported from China as well as other foreign imports.  Why don't you
> use your powers of persuasion to convince those stores to carry only
> products that you believe they should carry.
>
> Protectionism simply doesn't work.  The correct path is competition -
> level playing field or not, I bet on the talents of US businesses, US
> education and US employees.
>
> Oh - I have not observed anyone making a claim that the "dark store
> ordinance" was involved.  The only reference was to a "dark
> store"  which I think everyone will recognize - it was dark.
>
> At 12:20 AM 10/30/2007, you wrote:
> >It's always amazing to hear the same people who want a Wal-Mart Super Store
> >also say that Moscow should
> >
> >  "...attract businesses that produce goods and/or services for export and
> >pay good wages."
> >
> >Do they not understand that Wal-Mart's practice of importing most goods from
> >China has resulted in the loss of 4 million+ manufacturing jobs in the US?
> >
> >Also, for those who think the Dark Store Ordinance is so bad, the old
> >Tidyman's is not big enough to be considered a Dark Store.
> >
> >B. J. Swanson
> >
> >
> >
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