2009-02-08

如果美国消费者爱国了 - 保护主义

Protectionism isn't just government to government. People sometimes initiate their own boycotts, even in China—Chinese citizens had brief anti-Japanese protests in 2005. Now Americans are starting to promote "Buy American", and Chinese noticed. Using QQ this morning, I noticed a story on American protectionism, accompanied by a attention-grabbing photo. In the business section was a story on American consumers, with a picture from a U.S. blog which says, "China Makes Crap. Buy American!" (If you follow the link, you'll see that the post in question was made in July 2007. As with other boycotts, in the absence people eventually lose their interest.)

The article linked below the picture shows why this is now an issue: “购买美国货” 条款引发争议 ("Buy American Clause" Stirs Controversy). American politicians see their opportunity to codify intensified anti-free trade sentiment in the public.

There is now state support for protectionism, both from the Obama administration and a Democrat Congress. On February 4, Bloomberg reported on a potential compromise clause, which doesn't violate trade law:
Congressional leaders, trying to quell a dispute over “Buy American” provisions in the stimulus package, are crafting a version that would apply only when they don’t violate trade rules, according to industry officials and a congressional aide.
On February 5, Australia's The Age reports Obama's position and explains American law-making to foreign readers,

"I agree that we can't send a protectionist message," Mr Obama said. "I want to see what kind of language we can work on this issue.

"I think it would be a mistake though, at a time when worldwide trade is declining, for us to start sending a message that somehow we're just looking after ourselves and not concerned with world trade."

US trading partners had reacted with fury to the clause, warning it could start a global trade war.

Canada's ambassador to Washington said on Tuesday that the plan could trigger a worldwide depression and Washington would lose the moral authority to try to stop it.

The European Union has threatened legal action and Australian Trade Minister Simon Crean warned it could damage Australia's $500 million worth of annual steel exports to the US.

But President Obama faces an uphill battle with his Democratic colleagues over the clause. A clause that requires American steel to be used in all infrastructure projects has already passed the House of Representatives.

The Senate bill contains a broader clause that requires all goods and services used in projects funded by the $US900 billion fund to be American-sourced.

President Obama has no power to knock out the individual provision, he can only veto the entire bill.

His only strategy is to ensure the clause is either removed, he is given a waiver clause, or it is made consistent with existing trade law.

Yet there are strong signs the Democrats in Congress are gearing up to defend it. The steel unions and members of the Democratic caucus have scheduled a news conference (overnight Melbourne time) to defend it.

Any "Buy American" clause violates the spirit of international trade. The question is whether it satisfies the opponents of free trade, or if it emboldens them to seek further gains. There's a small chance the provision gets killed in conference, but I'm not optimistic.

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