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About LinkBacksThe U.S. congress passed the free trade agreement between Panama, Columbia, and South Korea late last night. The bill was sent to the president for his signature. What say you.
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The U.S. congress passed the free trade agreement between Panama, Columbia, and South Korea late last night. The bill was sent to the president for his signature. What say you.
MY VIEW: Did not happen long ago (as it should have) due to political reasons: Union opposition and insistence by Obama of some sort of pro-union rider as a condition of approval and, in the case of Panama, witch-hunting by certain members of Congress criticizing Panama for everything from not taxing enough, to bank and corporate "secrecy" to not having a central bank. (Like having a central bank is a good thing!) In the meantime, Panama embarked on the world's largest civil project (canal expansion and improvement) leaving U.S. companies completely on the sideline, e.g., Catapillar. Way to go!
Sir Stressalot (10-13-2011)
well having lived in canada and seeing what the US did to us on the soft wood taxes and that we took them to the world court 4 times and won every time before they dropped the tariffs , but kept the billions of illegal money they stole from us , that what NAFTA did for canada , i can not believe that the goverment here in panama sold their own people out , the farm industry here will take a beating as the US will flood this country with food and crap . sure some industry will move here and make some jobs , but it will not equal how many farmers are going to be lost , . the last prez of this country sold his people down the river .
Is the USA flooding the Mexican markets with farming products? I got no idea never having been in the MX long enough to go to a foodstore.
Obviously it would have been better for Canada if it was wedged in between Pakistan and Bangladesh and had a transparent agreement called PAK-CAN-BANG. Then they could alternate farming and being flooded instead of being one of the wealthiest nations on Earth.
Originally Posted by nakedguydb
BalaBeacher (10-13-2011), davidp (10-16-2011)
Interesting take as I assumed it will help Panama expand its agricultural exports (bananas, coffee) to U.S. but I don't know what trade barriers have been in place.
I believe Panama already had free trade on exports into US, this agreement allows for imports. I agree it will crush farmers but also bring down prices on things like corn and chicken. Good for the masses.
yes you soon will have all the GMO corn and other crops you can eat , along with feedlot beef and hormone packed chicken so they grow up in as little as 5 weeks , really something to look forward to . when has the USA ever done anything that was not to benefit themselves ? they could care less about anyone but themselves , they dont care if people loss the livelyhoods in other countries . a country of 300 mollion does not do this to help a country of 3 million . and if Canada had to fight them in world court 4 times , what chance does little panama have ? it is plain that the last prez sold his people down the river .
I'm no fan of U.S. trade policies, but I have trouble seeing how the Free Trade Agreement will adversely affect Panama.
1. The U.S. cannot (IMO) hatch, feed, raise, process, freeze and ship chicken from Arkansas to Panama cheaper than a Panamanian farmer can raise a chicken and take to market. (If it attempts to "dump" chickens in the market below cost it will be taken to the kangeroo court overseeing trade disputes like the U.S. tries to do regularly with China)
2. Global corn prices have risen 70% over the past two years and China announced today record imports of corn. (China was a net exporter of corn two years ago.) No country exporting corn gives a sh** about the trying to corner the Panamanian market even if it could, IMO. China corn purchase 1 of its largest ever - Yahoo! Finance=
3. Even if 1 and 2 are incorrect, the benefits of cheaper food prices (if this indeed occurs) will far outweigh any harm as the number of Panama farmers growing corn, for example, are statistically insignificant compared to the masses consuming food containing corn products (thus more disposable income).
It took me over a year to get through all the red tape to import a car here. I am sure it can be done within 2 days in the US with a car from here.
In summary, it won't affect Panama much since they are the most dishonest group of people on Earth. They will simple make it impossible anyway just like everything else so they can motivate the existence of their jurisdiction.
When you sell from Panama to the US you have to hire tax specialists since THE CUSTOMER is confused about the rules (for 1 out of 50 cases).
In the end it comes down to how it's actually done with vendors and consumers facing the regulations, something that is unknown and will be kept a hidden secret in Panama for many years if necessary.
If everything was based on a free market principles, as you'd like to indicate, then we wouldn't need to have any "free" trade agreements.
When I go to Mexico I eat American strawberries. Also US export corn to Mexico, even though Mexico is one of the top 10 corn producers and surely can process it cheaper then getting it shipped from Illinois
The US crop is heavily subsidized and indeed could appear to be cheaper than what would naturally be the case. So you will see GMO US cro(a)p in Panama unfortunately.
You are right, China did buy 900,000 metric tons of American corn for animal feed. And sure the price of corn is higher now, among other reasons, thanks to demand from U.S. ethanol producers. But for the US corn growers to be still in business, it is only thanks to the new farm bill and the US gov heavy subsidy of the corn farmers.
Are yo sure?
2007-2014 - Panama
Cat machines help construct the
expansion of the Panama Canal.
Contractors used 75 Cat machines on
just the first two phases of the six-phase project. When complete, the new
single-lane, three-step lock system will allow the Panama Canal to accommodate
vessels that are not currently transiting the waterway due to their large size.
Caterpillar
Prolly meant Bechtel.
Not now! Actually, I do recall reading that Caterpillar felt it was excluded from the large equipment purchases.
Panama farmers should lose 46 million in sales: USDA Blog » USDA Cultivates Opportunity in Panama as Trade Agreement Awaits Congressional Action
They are happy in Florida: Florida businesses eager for free trade pacts - Americas - MiamiHerald.com
Hopefully shortly we will have reasonably priced US meats here in Panama! Maybe the US produced sour cream will come down from $6 per ounze!
BalaBeacher (10-17-2011)
yes all that hormone feed , feedlot beef is really good for you , in fact you can have my share and i will eat local beef that got to graze on real grass .
El jefe (10-20-2011)
I like hormones.
They taste yummy.
http://animalrangeextension.montana....r/12-19.01.htm
NIFOC prefers when they died of natural causes.
actually what does panama export in any quantity? Bananas, coffee? Colombia I think stands to gain more because they have more clothing factories and textiles. Gaining access to U.S. markets should be beneficial. Maybe they can export something besides cocaine and hookers LOL.
If everything would follow the free trade logic, in real Adam Smith spirit, as BalaBeacher try to indicate, we wouldn't need to have any agreements.
When I go to Mexico I eat the US strawberries, and also the US corn. Surely as Mexico is one of the top 10 corn producers they should be able to raise, process, deliver it cheaper then Illinois farmer. Thanks to the US Gov subsidies to the US farmers, that is killing the 3rd world countries farmers, we will see the US Cr(o)ap in Panama unfortunately.
I see someone is already cheering the US meet potential arrival to Panama. Hope they are joking or their favorite pass time must be a game of the Russian roulette; as I am not sure if you can eat anything more unhealthy (most of the US meat comes from only 13 slaughterhouses !).
As for cheaper food prices. Right. If you look around the opposite is rather true.
When the first wave of manufacturing outsourcing started the excuse was you can buy your Nike shoes cheaper. They still cost $100 as they were before, but that is another topic...
Does anyone have a summary of what the "Free Trade" agreement will do? My understanding is just fewer tariffs on some goods. So some things in Panama might be a little less expensive?
Maybe with Free Trade between PTY and USA, I would be able to get my vitamins with a simple shipping and handling charge at Airbox... right now, when I get my vitamins, not only do I pay for Shipping and Handling, plus Customs and guess what???, a pharmaceutical permit..sometimes worth $ 15.00....what thieves!!!!
Re: U.S Congress passed free trade agreement.
Maybe with Free Trade between PTY and USA, I would be able to get my vitamins with a simple shipping and handling charge at Airbox... right now, when I get my vitamins, not only do I pay for Shipping and Handling, plus Customs and guess what???, a pharmaceutical permit..sometimes worth $ 15.00....what thieves!!!!
Re: U.S Congress passed free trade agreement.
Maybe with Free Trade between PTY and USA, I would be able to get my vitamins with a simple shipping and handling charge at Airbox... right now, when I get my vitamins, not only do I pay for Shipping and Handling, plus Customs and guess what???, a pharmaceutical permit..sometimes worth $ 15.00....what thieves!!!!
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