Thread: Politicians take second look at trade agreements

Politicians take second look at trade agreements
Friday, January 08, 2010

Lyanne Melendez

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The loss of jobs may force changes to the United States' trade agreements with other countries. Free trade and how it may affect jobs and consumers is being discussed in Congress.

One of President Obama's campaign promises was to review some of the trade agreements the United States has with other countries. But because these agreements are law, it will take months, perhaps years, of renegotiating between countries.

Congressional leaders are once again resurrecting the fight against U.S. free trade policies. Jobs are the motivating force, especially now in this economy.

For years, labor leaders and some lawmakers have criticized trade pacts. One example is the North American Free Trade Agreement between Mexico, Canada and the U.S. which, they argue, has not been successful for either of these countries

The Economic Policy Institute found that more than 1 million jobs in the U.S. have been lost as a result of NAFTA.

And now, according to East Bay Rep. George Miller, it is time to make changes.

"We should renegotiate, rethink them based on the economic evidence we have today, based on upon the economy of the U.S. and the need to keep jobs in this country," Miller (D-Martinez) said.

The International Longshore and Warehouse Union said Friday that containers coming into U.S. ports are full of high-value finished products, but what is being exported are recycled goods.

Miller echoed that claim.

"We're allowing people to import cars into this country but we are having great difficulties building cars in their country," he said.

On the other hand, business experts predict importing fewer of these cheaper products which sell at big-box stores will affect consumers.

"We have become kinds a dispensable society; we don't buy for the long term anymore, we buy products that we can afford, we understand they may have a lower quality and a lower shelf life," university of San Francisco professor Eugene Muscat said.

"Consumers love the discounted prices, but they don't have a job to even buy the discounted articles, you can't buy a refrigerator made in China if you don't have a job," Rep. John Garamendi (D-Walnut Creek) said.

Garamendi was recently elected, so he did not vote in 1993 when the house took up the NAFTA issue. Miller voted against it.

http://abclocal.go.com

On the other hand, business experts predict importing fewer of these cheaper products which sell at big-box stores will affect consumers.

"We have become kinds a dispensable society; we don't buy for the long term anymore, we buy products that we can afford, we understand they may have a lower quality and a lower shelf life," university of San Francisco professor Eugene Muscat said.

Well, as a consumer, I don't have a choice but to buy a crappy toaster from China that I'm going to throw out next year because all the good toaster makers have been driven out of business!!!!

I would like nothing better than to buy one more toaster that will last me a lifetime, instead of crap I will have to replace next year!!!!!!!!!! I'm spending way more than I should on toasters!!!!!!!!!!

Dixie

Originally Posted by Dixie

On the other hand, business experts predict importing fewer of these cheaper products which sell at big-box stores will affect consumers.

"We have become kinds a dispensable society; we don't buy for the long term anymore, we buy products that we can afford, we understand they may have a lower quality and a lower shelf life," university of San Francisco professor Eugene Muscat said.

Well, as a consumer, I don't have a choice but to buy a crappy toaster from China that I'm going to throw out next year because all the good toaster makers have been driven out of business!!!!

I would like nothing better than to buy one more toaster that will last me a lifetime, instead of crap I will have to replace next year!!!!!!!!!! I'm spending way more than I should on toasters!!!!!!!!!!

Dixie

You are absolutely right, Dixie! We had no say in the matter and no choice!

Ya and the coffee pots are just as bad, I am sick of replacing the piece of crap!

Here is how we fix the problem...no more negocialting...build manufacturing plants again , create jobs and produce American made products and give Americans the choice.

There is so much unnescessory junk out there being sold it is pathetic, just look around wall mart what a waste!

Originally Posted by SOSADFORUS

produce American made products

Quality products, of course, which I'm sure most Americans would be willing to pay extra for. Has anyone ever heard of a complete study in which the total costs of cheap, disposable products including transportation, packaging, disposal, environmental impact and subsequent costs of transportation, packaging, etc. for the replacement of cheap products are compared to the costs of long-lasting, quality products?

no, they haven't, it is all about creating cheap labor jobs in 3rd world countries.

That would be an interesting study carolinamtwoman but have never heard of one.

This reminded me to look at my microwave oven. I've had it for 26 years and still works like a charm. Sure enough, it says that it was assembled in the U.S. with parts made from U.S. and Japan.

We older ones remember when products lasted a long time.

We also hear how we have turned from a manufacturing country to mainly one of consumption. We're suppose to keep buying stuff. If they made quality products we wouldn't be buying so much.

Use to hear 'you get what you pay for.' Often, not always, but very often that was true. Nowadays there isn't much choice. Now the choices are between cheap and cheaper.

fedup,

By a 2nd hand percolator. My mother's electric one is almost 50 years old. The stove top one is older.

Dixie