Central American Free Trade Agreement Bill

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I have always tended to take a pragmatic view over trade; if a free trade agreement does not work for the interests of Atlasian manufacturers or their workforce I would find it hard, no, impossible to vote in favour of it.
But at the same time, if the agreement, on balance, works to the advantage of our manufacturers and our workers then I would most likely support it.
As such I would like to see some details of the agreement read out on the Senate floor

[Filuwaúrdjan]

In this globalized economy, we cannot afford to not pass this bill.

While I've yet to read through the proposed agreement and will not side with one side or the other until I have done so, I'm afraid I don't like that sort of arguement and I never have; to say that we cannot afford to pass a bill because of a short-term trend in World Trade without backing the assertion up, strikes me as being a little arrogant.

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Are our ports closed? Well with the tragic exception of the various ports in the New Orleans area, I don't think they are; we remain a massive importer and exporter of raw materials and finished products and will remain so no matter whether CAFTA is adopted or not.

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As I'm sure you are well aware, a lot of people would argue that there are other times where tarriffs are appropriate.
There seems to me to be a strong case for protecting some of our industries from foriegn pressures; and at the same time there seem to me to be a strong case for having free trade.
We have to strike a balance on trade, and I fear that this is something many on either side of this ancient debate have failed to do in recent years.

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How will it hurt us in the short term? Where will it hurt us in the short term? And when you say the economy, what part of the economy do you mean? I for one would not be prepared to vote for something that guts our manufacturing industries but gives a boost to the financial services sector... but I would perhaps be prepared to vote for something that causes some intial pain for manufacturing, but then results in sustained growth for what is a core industry for the nation as a whole, but for much of my district in particular.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Having read through the proposed agreement, I could not find anything that would aid the manufacturing industry in my district or the numerous jobs and countless families it supports. I could, however, find parts of the proposed agreement that do the reverse; it might well be the case that much of the agreement is in effect in force already... but this does not change the fact that the agreement is likely to be harmful to the economic base of my district and to my constituents.

I also have concerns over certain other parts of the agreement; namely the section on labor which looks to be toothless to the point of uselessness. I'm not convinced that letting our companies invest in the public sector of these countries is a good thing either; I would much prefer these companies to invest in the private sector of economically depressed areas of our nation, and I'm afraid I have to question the motives of a company that would rather invest in the public sector of another nation's economy rather than aid the private sector of our economy.

So far the arguements in favour of this agreement have come in two forms; on the one hand an emotional and ideological appeal for Free Trade, and on the other simply claiming that the agreement doesn't really do that much and that in the long term we will benifit.
I try to take a pragmatic approach to trade; when one side of the arguement cannot come up with any more than that, then I'm extremely reluctant to side with their position.

All this considered, I'm afraid that I cannot vote for or support this agreement.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Moreover, for those of you, honorable Senators, who are concerned about labor rights in Central America, this agreement would increase the prosperity of the Central American nations by promoting trade, thereby ultimately helping those very workers you refer to.

Increased trade doesn't really improve the lives of these low paid workers though; even if the overall economies of the countries in question grow as a result of CAFTA, the recent political and economic record of these countries suggests that the potential positive effects of CAFTA on the economies of these nations will not filter down to the people many of us in the Senate are worried about. If past form is a guide, things may even get somewhat worse for them.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Is that something we can afford?

Absolutely not. The manufacturing industry is of vital importance both to Atlasia at large and to our struggling industrial communities.
Now is probably not the time to stick another nail in the coffin of Atlasian Manufacturing

[Filuwaúrdjan]

As I noted before, the manufacturing industry will not be too greatly affected by this agreement.

It's in enough of a mess as it is.

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From what I recall (and I could be wrong) CAFTA makes that permanant, right? So if CAFTA is rejected then then those earlier agreements would just run there course?

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I'm just wondering if any other Senators have actually tried to read it? It's quite a slog, but there are some very interesting little details in there; especially some of the exemptions.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Nay

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I would just like the Senate to know that I have made an offer (several days ago) to certain other Senators that will hopefully end this farce.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I would just like the Senate to know that I have made an offer (several days ago) to certain other Senators that will hopefully end this farce.

Could you please elaborate?

I will when I hear back from these certain other Senators. If not, my assumption would be they don't want to compromise. Pity.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

I'm beginning to see the attractions of CAFTA now

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Interesting article in the Economist today about manufacturing.  It brought up very good points in favor of Free Trade and why we should be unafraid of the decrease in manufacturing jobs.  While I will continue to vote in favor of debate (for the moment), my vote on the final bill is in doubt. 

The article made some fundamental errors about the employment structure etc. in the manufacturing industry and why it's declined as well as a misunderstanding of the way the labour market works as a whole.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

So you're posting abuse at me here as well? Charming.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Abstain