Free Trade - no thanks!

Tom Commis · 15-10-2006, 03:44 AM

One fact no one has mentioned is that protectionism also harms the poorer since they rely more on cheap products; a Portugese shoemaker for example might benefit from Mandelsons' attempts to curtail Chinese imports of shoes but not if it is extended to clothing and electrical products as, consistently it should be.
The British car industry keeps being cited as an example but this industry was killed off by it's own incompetence not cheaper imports, nearly all cars bought in the UK are made in high wage economies.
It should als be remembered that what is left of UK manufacturing (which is more extensive than some people realise) is not really susceptible to competition on labour costs because these costs make up a small part of the total cost of the product so few UK companies or workers would benefit from high tariffs.
I would agree to protecting industries such as defence or farming which we might rely on in times of need.

This-England · 15-10-2006, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Commis

One fact no one has mentioned is that protectionism also harms the poorer since they rely more on cheap products; a Portugese shoemaker for example might benefit from Mandelsons' attempts to curtail Chinese imports of shoes but not if it is extended to clothing and electrical products as, consistently it should be.
The British car industry keeps being cited as an example but this industry was killed off by it's own incompetence not cheaper imports, nearly all cars bought in the UK are made in high wage economies.
It should als be remembered that what is left of UK manufacturing (which is more extensive than some people realise) is not really susceptible to competition on labour costs because these costs make up a small part of the total cost of the product so few UK companies or workers would benefit from high tariffs.
I would agree to protecting industries such as defence or farming which we might rely on in times of need.

Didnt Chine, Korea, Japan, America, Sweden and the USA use protectionism in the Motor industry?

C_steam · 15-10-2006, 03:37 PM

You missed France off the list - many gov't bungs made in France to the 'indigenous' motor industry in direct contravention of EU rules.

This-England · 15-10-2006, 03:44 PM

Privatisaton and the Free Market have been a disaster for us.
The Far East are laughing at us.

Robin · 15-10-2006, 06:56 PM

I wouldn`t trust the government with more interference, though. It would have to be done via the civil service, and the senior ones are traitors.

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15-10-2006, 03:44 AM	#41 (permalink)
Tom Commis Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 74	One fact no one has mentioned is that protectionism also harms the poorer since they rely more on cheap products; a Portugese shoemaker for example might benefit from Mandelsons' attempts to curtail Chinese imports of shoes but not if it is extended to clothing and electrical products as, consistently it should be. The British car industry keeps being cited as an example but this industry was killed off by it's own incompetence not cheaper imports, nearly all cars bought in the UK are made in high wage economies. It should als be remembered that what is left of UK manufacturing (which is more extensive than some people realise) is not really susceptible to competition on labour costs because these costs make up a small part of the total cost of the product so few UK companies or workers would benefit from high tariffs. I would agree to protecting industries such as defence or farming which we might rely on in times of need.

15-10-2006, 03:37 PM	#43 (permalink)
C_steam Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Paddling up 5hit creek..... Posts: 7,710	You missed France off the list - many gov't bungs made in France to the 'indigenous' motor industry in direct contravention of EU rules.

15-10-2006, 03:44 PM	#44 (permalink)
This-England Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 1,682	Privatisaton and the Free Market have been a disaster for us. The Far East are laughing at us.

15-10-2006, 06:56 PM	#45 (permalink)
Robin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 925	I wouldn`t trust the government with more interference, though. It would have to be done via the civil service, and the senior ones are traitors.