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Politics - Free Trade equals Fair Trade?

Free Trade equals Fair Trade? Free trade organizations and policies want to regulate who, how much and what you can trade in the world. This way everyone supposedly gets an opportunity to make a buck. That is the theory, but in reality it does not work like that because, some countries (bigger ones) claim they have 'more' to sell because of their size. Others claim they have only one export while another might have 10 exports to make. So really it can be very unequal. What are your thoughts?

Should countries be allowed to trade with whomever they wish without any kind of restriction? Or should there be a governing body that sets rules and regulations?

Trade Fair equals Trade Free Politics

I tend to believe that countries, and entities within countries, should be allowed to trade with whomever they wish.  I don't think that there should be any governing bodies, as governing bodies interfere with liberty.

However, this isn't completely realistic.  Each country (and each entity) is going to try to maximize their benefits.  This is normally done through the imposition of tarrifs and quotas.

Yes, more powerful countries are able to impose their wills in certain ways.  However, less powerful countries can truly benefit in ways less obvious ways than the actual profits from the trades.

For example, if the US trades with, say, Costa Rica, purchasing fresh fruits and vegetables, and selling agricultural equipment, the obvious balance of the trading is towards the US.  However, there are also skills being exported to Costa Rica, as trained service people go to spend a few years there supporting the equipment.  Since local labor is less expensive than the imported specialists, the companies involved try to get local people trained, thus the skills begin to grow in Costa Rica, until eventually the local people start their own industry.

I am actually very weak in economics.  This is somewhat of a paraphrase of some arguments by Walter Williams (available on WorldNetDaily).  I have read a very little bit by Von Mises, and some discussion about Adam Smith.  It interests me somewhat, but the reading can be difficult

NightHawk

Politics - Free Trade equals Fair Trade? History & Civil Business Politics

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Yes, more powerful countries are able to impose their wills in certain ways

More than econmic power I think a country's position and size make a big difference. I am for countries merging together (I know that will never happen), but could you imagine the big impact it would make if the tiny islands of the Caribbean all gather together under one flag and government? Wow, they would have a big say in this sector. I think all these little 'wannabe' countries (I live on one, so I know) make life so difficult for itself as an independent economic entity.

Trade Fair equals Trade Free Politics

Oh, absolutely!  I think a trade consortium would be a great idea for the Caribbean countries and northern South American nations.  I am not completely sure about merging nationalities, although there may be some good points to consider.

I am very concerned about the individual liberty considerations, as well as the national sovereignity questions.  For example, I think the EU is a horrible mess, economically, but especially politically.  It is rapidly becoming one of the most oppressive organizations in the world, imposing a totally amoral vision on its member nations.  This could easily happen in the Caribbean as well.

NightHawk

Trade Fair equals Trade Free Politics

Living in such a small island, sometimes is hard to believe that there are out there even more small islands than this one lol...yes...I think all countries should be free to trade with any country they wish, although I know that laws and regulations will not allowed it freely.

Politics - Free Trade equals Fair Trade?

in europe there is the EU, the european union( i hope i wrote that correct) and we have agreements about trading with each other. it's easier for european countries to trade with each other because there are almost no taxes on the product who are being trade. but for people who do not live in the EU there are taxes to sell there products in the EU. and because people are free to buy what the want, they will mostly pick the cheapest product wich is from inside of EU. it's a protection system for the european farmers mostly. but there are exceptions for the carribean, and afrika they don't have to pay extra taxes, because otherwise they wouldn't make any money at all. so within europe you can trade with whoever you want without a lot of restrictions. but although the systems works in europe it doesn't mean it would work when the whole globe joins in. especially when it comes to criminal behaviour and drugs it would be a lot more complicated and i think people whil only end up with discussions and people who dissagree and maybe even violism

Politics Free Trade equals Fair Trade

There are some serious problems with the EU system.  France, which heavily subsidizes its farmers, puts all kinds of restrictions on what types of agricultural products can be exported into the EU.  Germany puts restrictions on technology.  Britain gets angry because of both of them, as the British prefer South American fruit and New Zealand lamb.

A year or so ago, there was a big stink because France and other countries didn't want Britain to market their chocolate as "chocolate," because they think theirs is the best, so Britain must market theirs as something else.  They just use a different recipe.

Now, the EU is pressuring the US to change the names of thousands of products, such as "cheddar" cheese, or "worcestershire" sauce, or especially "burgundy" wine.  All of these generic names come from places in Europe, so they obviously can't refer to things that are made (often much better) in the United States.  Can we say "hamburger" anyone?

As I said before, the EU, now that it is gaining political power, is becoming oppressive.  Only a few countries have ever had popular elections about even joining the EU, and most of them have voted against it.  The EU, and the EEC before it, were imposed by socialist "elites" in each of the individual countries.  Now, through the EU courts, they are trying to impose those same immoral standards on the rest of the world.

NightHawk

Politics Free Trade equals Fair Trade Politics Business Civil & History

Not to make the discussion focus more on the EU, but we must remember that these unions were formed firstly on necessity to survive. Any country that can do well on its own is not going to enter into a 'partnership'. It is obvious that they needed to do this inorder to compete with bigger giants like the US.

Let us not forget something that is often forgotten - the resource of human labor. Trade in many ways is based on where labor can be obtained for cheap. The US (for example) could not out put as much if they had their work force all in the US, so they go to a place like Mexico and exploit the people there. The Mexican government agrees to not raise the minimum wage so that more US companies can come into the country - thus the doggie dog affair comes in. Thus they trade the human work force in exchange for the US dollar. In effect the Mexican government imposes restrictions on its' own people for the sake of more money for some. I say some because the man on the street does not benefit.