To be fair to Andy the WTO is a Tory wet dream of globalisation.
The EU is a defence against that model.
I was wrong on that one it is a protectionist measure. I had no idea Bulgaria and Portugal grow rice. Not that agriculture has ever just been about free market trade in most countries.Timbo wrote: ↑Sun Jan 20, 2019 1:39 pmhttps://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-eu-tr ... KKCN1PA2AY
Apparently there has been a flood of supply from these countries, and apparently is in protection of domestic EU-grown rice (who knew?). However, it still ultimately harms consumer and supplier.
The decision, which will be in effect for three years, follows a “safeguard” investigation launched last March after a request from the Italian government. Rice is grown in eight southern European countries from Portugal to Bulgaria.
Cambodia and Myanmar benefit from the EU’s “Everything But Arms” scheme which allows the world’s least developed countries to export most goods to the European Union free of duties. But the Commission said its investigation had confirmed that a significant increase in imports of longer-grained Indica rice from Cambodia and Myanmar had damaged EU producers.
I think you miss my point. I suppose the EU can be protectionist, after all it hit back against Trump.
There's a bit down in the south of France, Camargue region.Timbo wrote: ↑Sun Jan 20, 2019 1:39 pmhttps://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-eu-tr ... KKCN1PA2AY
Apparently there has been a flood of supply from these countries, and apparently is in protection of domestic EU-grown rice (who knew?). However, it still ultimately harms consumer and supplier.
Buying less from poor countries isn't going to make them richer, much less make them likely to up wages and improve working conditions. This is cart before horse logic, whereas in reality the demand follows the supply; where cheap labour is available it will be utilised. Decrying globalisation because of poor working conditions in poor countries is just a supercilious version of Trump's MAGA nonsense.Biggus Robbus wrote: ↑Sun Jan 20, 2019 4:59 pmI think you miss my point. I suppose the EU can be protectionist, after all it hit back against Trump.
My issue is admitting countries in the WTO, with guaranteeing workers rights in all WTO member states, is a recipe for discontent.
Capitalist shits will argue that hard fought for labour rights will have to be removed to "compete" with countries that have limited labour rights.
Poor sods who see their job outsourced to poorer countries are at risk of being temped by the fear and resentment messages of Farage et al.
At least the EU has the Social Chapter and provides other rights.
The WTO has got as far as discussing worker rights but really has no way of enforcing them. The has been some discussion on inserting a social clause into the WTO agreement. However that's all it is thus far.
*edit - With regards to Andy's point yesterday about enjoying tablets and smartphones. I was thinking more in line with high value devices such as Apple and Samsung. Yes they could be made in the West. The really low end stuff well yes we enjoy that product from China really can only come from low cost economies.
My response to spontaneous arousal is neither intellectual nor philosophical.Biggus Robbus wrote: ↑Sun Jan 20, 2019 9:13 pmOkay I have a raging hard on so I will have to go away and think about this.