tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post8980845346488756142..comments2024-03-05T10:52:24.691+00:00Comments on Mark Wadsworth: Peter Lilley debunks "free trade deals"Mark Wadsworthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post-86511514308080559032016-05-29T12:28:36.786+01:002016-05-29T12:28:36.786+01:00L, exactly. And the more important question is, ho...L, exactly. And the more important question is, how does it compare with the EU-China terms? Better or worse?Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post-2651434240489081032016-05-28T22:33:04.087+01:002016-05-28T22:33:04.087+01:00P In other words Chinese consumers are being denie...P In other words Chinese consumers are being denied Swiss products at lower prices. <br />I'd be pretty fed up if I was a Chinese consumer.Lolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04586735342675041312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post-19160511202531889852016-05-28T17:30:49.971+01:002016-05-28T17:30:49.971+01:00PC< OK, you're the expert. That looks a a g...PC< OK, you're the expert. That looks a a good deal to me, especially for Swiss consumers. How does it compare with the EU-China terms?Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post-12773261301489835872016-05-28T14:41:24.296+01:002016-05-28T14:41:24.296+01:00MW. Why am I harping? I've an open mind on the...MW. Why am I harping? I've an open mind on these things and you take from the article what you want (apparently) but that's not how I read the last paragraph that you quote here:<br /><br />"Our shops are full of goods from countries with which we have no trade deal. They are not essential now tariffs between developed countries are so low. BUT outside the EU we will be able to negotiate speedily THE really WORTHWHILE deals to access fast growing PROTECTED markets such as CHINA" (selected words highlighted for effect).<br /><br />So it should be obvious why I might mention China. He has. Specifically he mentions Switzerland got a quickie deal with them. But the deal offers tariff free entry into Switzerland for 99.7% of Chinese exports immediately with staggered reductions in tariffs for 84.2% of Swiss goods over the next couple of decades. Sounds like the sort of deal a minnow gets when negotiating with a colossus. Just sayin.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post-58540355898931541022016-05-28T10:18:02.501+01:002016-05-28T10:18:02.501+01:00P, so they've got Marmite, that's the main...P, so they've got Marmite, that's the main thing.<br /><br />PC, you are still harping on about "deals", The point is that they aren't really that important, the whole article was about that. Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post-11470417710024607512016-05-28T09:03:31.754+01:002016-05-28T09:03:31.754+01:00I get the point about low tariffs in Europe and re...I get the point about low tariffs in Europe and relatively large tariffs in developing countries (one reason why the TTIP treaty is nothing to do with free trade a more to do with extending patent protections, the opposite of free trade) but I keep seeing references to the 'easier' trade deals set up by the likes of Switzerland with China. A deal which on first appearances looks remarkably in China's favour. As in China get free access to Swiss people now whilst Switzerland has to wait a couple of decades! I somehow doubt the EU will be looking at that as something worth emulating.paulc156https://www.blogger.com/profile/12412449043451685404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post-79128436091665544052016-05-28T05:22:23.760+01:002016-05-28T05:22:23.760+01:00P. You'll most likely also find GKN Drivetrain...P. You'll most likely also find GKN Drivetrain components in Volvos. And I am pretty sure we sell them defence equipment. And I bet Jaguar Land Rover are there as well. Lolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04586735342675041312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post-18908168335683882812016-05-27T22:46:03.460+01:002016-05-27T22:46:03.460+01:00British goods on sale in Sweden.
Spear and Jackso...British goods on sale in Sweden.<br /><br />Spear and Jackson garden tools - promoted as ultra-high-end.<br />Fishermans Friends in eight flavours.<br />Cheddar and Stilton promoted as gourmet products<br />Large potatoes for baking.<br />Marmite and Lea and Perrin's sauce for expats.<br />Premier League football.<br />Fullers London Pride<br />Shepheard Neames Spitfire.<br /><br />That's about it, folks.Physiocrathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13682019625346594568noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post-72132511101646088402016-05-27T15:22:06.136+01:002016-05-27T15:22:06.136+01:00MW. I did 'almost' entirely dispensible.....MW. I did 'almost' entirely dispensible...Lolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04586735342675041312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post-35364787727984906782016-05-27T14:19:27.366+01:002016-05-27T14:19:27.366+01:00Kj, exactly.
L, agreed, although I am in favour o...Kj, exactly.<br /><br />L, agreed, although I am in favour of product safety rules, up to a point.Mark Wadsworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07733511175178098449noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post-16515454577499541302016-05-27T12:54:34.399+01:002016-05-27T12:54:34.399+01:00"How important are trade deals? It pains me t..."<i>How important are trade deals? It pains me to admit – their importance is grossly exaggerated. Countries succeed, with or without trade deals, if they produce goods and services other countries want.</i>"<br /><br />My point precisely. The EU bureaucrats - in fact all state bureaucrats - are almost entirely dispensible.<br />Lolahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04586735342675041312noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1141932539860553199.post-37846718715201387852016-05-27T11:14:42.775+01:002016-05-27T11:14:42.775+01:00And the biggest tariff of them all, with a minimum...And the biggest tariff of them all, with a minimum of 15% is both required and enforced by the EU for everyone trading with each other within the "free trade" area.Kjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13530243002915410700noreply@blogger.com