Good thing Bush Admitted China to WTO....... it's doing wonders for us.

[cthrumatrix]

11 November 2001


President Bush Hails China,
Taiwan Admission to WTO

President Bush hailed the World Trade Organization (WTO) decision to admit China and Taiwan as members, saying that their entry into the WTO will strengthen the global trading system and expand world economic growth.

snip...

"Taking these steps will introduce greater competition into both economies and mean that both follow the same trade rules as the United States and other trading partners. This, in turn, will generate greater trade and investment that will bring benefits to businesses, consumers, and workers in all of our economies," Bush said in a November 11 statement released by the White House."

http://usinfo.state.gov/topical/econ/wto99/wwwh01111103.html

Does anyone look back and see decisions by this "cabal" has made and hold them accountable for anything?

How has China joing the WTO helped our economy? Ok..maybe it works out for Walmart.

How has this helped jobs in the US..?

[arcane1]

1. Bushspeak

"economy" really means "my friends' bank accounts"

[cthrumatrix]

2. I think this admission sums it up.....

"Established in 1995, the World Trade Organization (WTO) is a powerful new global commerce agency, which transformed the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) into an enforceable global commerce code.

The WTO is one of the main mechanisms of corporate globalization."

http://www.citizen.org/trade/wto/index.cfm

A governmental tool to help corporatism rule the world and to used agaisnt other countries as we see fit.

[cthrumatrix]

3. WTO....a tool by the corporations ..for the corporations...against us.

"For many countries in the South, this invasion of
peoples’ basic rights is not new. Over the last several decades,
the structural adjustment programs of the IMF and the World
Bank have been used to force many governments in the South
to dismantle their public services and allow foreign-based
healthcare, education and water corporations to deliver
services on a “for profit” basis. Under the proposed GATS
rules, developing countries could experience a further
dismantling of local service providers, restrictions on the
development of domestic service providers, and the creation of
new monopolies dominated by corporate service providers
based in the North. "

http://www.citizen.org/documents/OWINFSbookletENG.pdf

Note the part where it says "the creation of new monpolies by corporate service providers".

[cthrumatrix]

4. NAFTA hurt middle class Mexicans as well......

22 MAKING THE LINKS: A Peoples’ Guide to the World Trade Organization and the Free Trade Area of the Americas
The experience of NAFTA in Mexico, Canada and the U.S. shows how free trade regimes serve to weaken
peoples’ economic security. As companies relocated their production in Mexico to take advantage of U.S. $5
per day wages for Mexican workers, the U.S. lost over a million manufacturing jobs. While these laid-off U.S.
workers often find new jobs, they come with much less security and lower wages. Meanwhile, without enforceable
labour rights in NAFTA, Mexican workers have been unable to organize effectively to increase their wages.
Despite the NAFTA promise of increased economic development throughout Mexico, only the maquiladora
factories along the border region have seen significant increases in industrial activity. Yet, even here, over a
million more Mexican workers are now compelled to work for less than the minimum wage than was the case
before NAFTA.
Since NAFTA came into effect in 1994, it is estimated that eight million Mexicans have fallen from the
middle class into poverty. What’s more, there is nothing to prevent the FTAA from breeding similar economic
insecurities. Protected by FTAA power tools like “Most Favoured Nation” and “National Treatment,”
corporations based in the U.S. and Canada can move into the rest of the Americas, not only taking advantage
of cheap working conditions, but also undercutting local industries and businesses as they demand equal
treatment. For many developing countries, the demands for the elimination of tariff barriers could result in a
flood of consumer imports, thereby making their economies even more vulnerable. And, economic security
conditions could be further weakened because governments no longer will have the ability to curb speculative
investment on their currencies by controlling the inflows and outflows of capital.

http://www.citizen.org/documents/Making_the_links.pdf

So if the mexican people did not benefit...and the US people did not benefit...who made out?

[Maple]

5. How would it be

if you read the actual truth about the 146 nations that are members of the WTO instead of your propaganda hmmmm?

http://www.wto.org/

http://www.wto.org/english/thewto_e/whatis_e/tif_e/org6_e.htm

Maybe then there wouldn't be quite so much foolishness on here.

[cthrumatrix]

6. there is a difference between "intention" and abuse.....

The ten benefits

1. The system helps promote peace
2. Disputes are handled constructively
3. Rules make life easier for all
4. Freer trade cuts the costs of living
5. It provides more choice of products and qualities
6. Trade raises incomes
7. Trade stimulates economic growth
8. The basic principles make life more efficient
9. Governments are shielded from lobbying
10. The system encourages good government


I don't deny there are some benefits. It's the use of the various treaties that seem to be 'against the people' and for the larger corporations.

You don't actually think that NAFTA has been a success?

[Iverson]

7. ah, the language of minimization

Surely you don't intend to suggest that only the WTO's self-report is relevant and all else is silly propaganda and foolishness! That would be like trusting the tobacco companies.

In the meantime, here are links to articles on znet.

http://www.zmag.org/CrisesCurEvts/Globalism/GlobalEcon.htm

[cherryperry]

9. Loved this one especially:

False Promises on Trade

By Mark Weisbrot



Thanks for the link!

[Iverson]

10. you're certainly welcome

The article that you noted mentions Argentina, which is a particularly painful case. It did everything it was ordered to by the World Bank and IMF, and its economy still tanked. The moment they paused in the madness, sanctions devastated them.

Happy researching!

[cherryperry]

8. People, people, please get a grip!

How can so many DU'ers be pro-WTO? It, along with NAFTA, has been the #1 reason for so many jobs going overseas. I understand that Clinton was for it as well, but after seeing the terrible results for formerly working people, can't we admit it was a mistake to get involved with both NAFTA and the WTO?

There's something happening here, what it is ain't exactly clear.

Don't we care about the exporting of jobs overseas causing Americans further suffering? I know I do!

[laura888]

11. "Look for the Union Label..."

...I'm nostalgic for the 70's!

[cherryperry]

12. Yes, Laura,

Which side are you on?
Which side are you on?
You'll either be a union man
Or a thug for J.H. Blair.

(partial lyrics)


Do you know that one and some other good pro-union songs?