Angela Merkel - international agenda setter
A bit of a surprising headline, and I think I should apologise to Frau Merkel to the implied insult I made to her while discussing my transfer market in politicians idea yesterday.
Anyway, Der Spiegel reports that she is arguing for a trans Atlantic free trade zone should the Doha round fail, which it probably will. This would encompass 60% of GWP, which would make for a very big free trade area. My short response is 'yes please'. As Ronald Reagan once put it ):
"We and our trading partners are in the same boat. If one partner shoots a hole in the boat, it makes no sense for the other partner to shoot another hole in the boat. That's not getting tough; it's getting wet. And, eventually, it means sinking the boat that's headed for greater growth and prosperity. Protectionism only opens the door to retaliation".
Anyway, Der Spiegel reports that she is arguing for a trans Atlantic free trade zone should the Doha round fail, which it probably will. This would encompass 60% of GWP, which would make for a very big free trade area. My short response is 'yes please'. As Ronald Reagan once put it ):
"We and our trading partners are in the same boat. If one partner shoots a hole in the boat, it makes no sense for the other partner to shoot another hole in the boat. That's not getting tough; it's getting wet. And, eventually, it means sinking the boat that's headed for greater growth and prosperity. Protectionism only opens the door to retaliation".
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on Tuesday, October 03, 2006 at 7:42 am.
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I agree with Croydonian. My reaction was similar when I read about Merkels proposal for a transatlantic free trade zone. It is a good idea.
However, the reaction of the German Green party is revealing: "a transatlantic free trade zone endangers world trade", said the spokeswoman of the Green party in parliament.
The comment of the Green party proves that
(1) either the Greens don't have a clue how the economy is working, or
(2) the Greens want to avoid an EU-USA alliance at all cost because they have other plans, e.g. an anticapitalistic Eurabia.
Getting towards global free trade is like persuading a child to eat something it doesn't like - go for one bite at at a time.
I have very, very little patience with the Green parties. If they had been around 200 odd years ago, we would never have had the industrial revolution and we'd all be dying of smallpox, the plague, consumption etc at 40 or thereabouts. You may not have encountered that wonderful English concept 'Luddite', but that's exactly what I think they are.
Good point!
If I may follow up on your idea:
In consequence, the prehistoric Greens probably opposed the use of the wheel.
Colin - almost certainly. Just think of the damage done to the environment done by cutting down trees, let alone to the flora and fauna once the thing started moving.....
Croydonian,
Excellent analysis, indeed.
In addition, the use of the wheel has led to the increase of CO2 which is supposedly distroying the earth.
The planned reduction of CO2 does not eliminate the cause of the evil. However, the cause must be eliminated to save our planet.
Let's outlaw the wheel and have another Kimono conference on this issue!
Or was it Kyoto?
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