November 20, 2006
BRACE YOURSELVES...:
APEC demands fresh start for trade talks (JOSEPH COLEMAN, 11/20/06, Associated Press)
Eager to set the stage for further economic growth, Pacific Rim leaders on Sunday demanded a fresh start for moribund global free-trade talks and condemned terrorism and other threats to security.The 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum - including regional powerhouses Japan, China and the United States - also criticized North Korea for its recent atomic test, urging the reclusive regime to make "concrete and effective" steps toward nuclear disarmament.
The conference of nations comprising more than half the world's economy was also a bazaar for business deals: host Vietnam parlayed its robust growth into multimillion-dollar contracts, while the U.S. and Russia signed a pact allowing Moscow's future entry into the World Trade Organization.
A top economic priority for the forum, attended by world leaders including President Bush and Chinese President Hu Jintao, was the resurrection of the stalled Doha round of world trade talks, which collapsed in July over a U.S.-European feud on agricultural subsidies.
The leaders issued a joint declaration warning of "grave" consequences if the talks, aimed at slashing trade barriers in order to boost global growth and alleviate poverty, fail. Bush's authority to submit a deal to Congress for a simple yes-or-no vote will expire July 1.
...for the onslaught of stories about how the Democrats opposition to free trade puts us at odds with our allies and diminishes our standing in the world.... Posted by Orrin Judd at November 20, 2006 9:19 AM
"...how the Democrats opposition to free trade puts us at odds with our allies and diminishes our standing in the world" Er, that is not the world we Democrats care about. That world is Wal-Mart-nesque world which we abhor. We care about approval from the snooty Euros, a more refine, 'classier' world where we, the elites, rule.
Posted by: ic at November 20, 2006 2:34 PMWhile running errands a few minutes ago, I heard Rush describe the new Barney Franks offering to the business community - the Dems will consider dropping their opposition to free trade and their insistence on tight regulation if business agrees to raise wages and benefits.
Of course, any contributions to Democrats are welcome. A real "K" Street deal, eh? No comment from the nutroots (yet).
Free trade is in trouble, because it is a tough issue to campaign on. The electorate instinctively knows free trade is good, but making the case is difficult. And the 'Blue Dogs' aren't going to vote in favor of free trade deals just because they are (somewhat) conservative.
Posted by: jim hamlen at November 20, 2006 3:05 PMIt's political medicine: You coat the bitter free-trade agreement with protectionist sugar, which the WTO dissolves, leaving only the free trade agreement. In fact, ratcheting up the tariffs would further ensure the desired chain-reaction.
Posted by: Mike Beversluis at November 20, 2006 6:23 PMWhy wouldn't "business" just agree? Who's going to enforce the agreement?
Posted by: oj at November 20, 2006 9:14 PMNote that Barney just said the Dems would 'consider' modifying their views.
And in their world, the economy stinks right now, because no one is more threatened by a booming economy than a bunch of elitist redistributionist dinosaurs. Just ask Punch Sulzberger or Dean Baquet.
Posted by: ratbert at November 20, 2006 9:52 PM