Japanese Government Hypocrisy

[mstrjon32]

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090409/AUTO01/904090384

"Protectionism is our biggest concern," said Akira Matsunaga, director of the powerful Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry's automobile division. "If such regulations pass Congress, we can't survive. We are hoping it will not come to that. If it does, we may have to say something."

Am I supposed to feel bad for you that your industry created an entire business model based on leeching off of the US economy? Particularly when you are one of the most protectionist countries in the world? AND, you're complaining about an incentive program to buy North American goods, that you're not even excluded from participating in? It's not like it's even a tariff--though after reading this I'd be quite pleased if it were.


I particularly love this gem: "He said such moves could trigger a global trade war, adding that protectionism helped lay the foundation for World War II."

Right, because that worked out so well for you the first time.

If they "say something" and we fold, I am going to be beyond enraged.

 

[01rangerxl]

Quote:
"He said such moves could trigger a global trade war, adding that protectionism helped lay the foundation for World War II."

 

[PF52]

Originally Posted By: mstrjon32
I particularly love this gem: "He said such moves could trigger a global trade war, adding that protectionism helped lay the foundation for World War II."



What's he going to do, send the bombers back over Pearl Harbor?

 

[Pablo]

I'm for free trade.

And I know trade "restrictions" have serious ramifications, but why does the "free" part only apply to us?

 

[Kestas]

The abject arrogance and hypocrisy of those statements is mindboggling on many levels. They should just shut up and mind their own business.

 

[pbm]

"Americans cannot be expected to use their tax dollars to incent purchasing foreign cars"

Why not! We use our tax dollars to subsidize foreign goverments
while closing schools, libraries, Veterans hospitals etc...here in America due to lack of funds.

PS: I believe Japan is one of our true allies who will support us against NK and other aggressors. I don't think you can say this about some of our so called 'allies'.

 

[Beachboy]

We better hope the U.S. does't embark on protectionist philosophies. Everything we buy is built overseas, as the US can't manufacture anything competitively. Between the union pay scales and the overall lack of quality, American manufacturing has gone down the tubes. We are in a global economy, like it or not. Want to buy "made in U.S.A."? Go right ahead. Show me your new TV or DVD player. Show me your new small appliances, clothes, furniture, hardware, etc. Its no longer built here, because it is built better AND cheaper elsewhere. And like the majority of Americans, I'll buy it based on quality and price, NOT the country of manufacture.

 

[Quest]

They already did. US is already considering the introduction of 10% surcharge in taxing selected softwood lumber imports from Canada.


...and you think the protectionist scheme hasn't started yet?

 

[Tempest]

Tariffs = major cause of the Great Depression. So that is bad.

This article does bring up a good question as to whether the gov. bailouts of GM and Chrysler could be attacked under the WTO as unfair subsidies.

 

[Quest]

http://www.cbc.ca/money/story/2009/04/08/harper-softwood-227.html

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: mstrjon32

If they "say something" and we fold, I am going to be beyond enraged.


Japan is a good and trading partner to the US. Japanese corporations have invested billions of dollars in the US in manufacturing infrastructure and job creation. Not to mention making some of the best cars on the market. They have expanded US awareness with the successful introduction of eco-friendly high volume hybrid vehicles while the overstuffed SUV crazy Detroit 3 continue to lead America down the path to energy ruination and economic collapse. The "buy American" mantra is only the current administration pandering to the pigs at the UAW who just want to feed at the trough of US taxpayer dollars. They are the true "traitors" in America. If they cared about this country none would take taxpayer money to subsidize their poor quality products.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: mstrjon32
I particularly love this gem: "He said such moves could trigger a global trade war, adding that protectionism helped lay the foundation for World War II."



What's he going to do, send the bombers back over Pearl Harbor?


NO stop selling cars here...force us to buy GM/UAW garbage

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: Tempest

This article does bring up a good question as to whether the gov. bailouts of GM and Chrysler could be attacked under the WTO as unfair subsidies.


Porbably...as they rightfully should be. We complain when anyone else does it.

 

[Tempest]

Originally Posted By: PT1
Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: mstrjon32
I particularly love this gem: "He said such moves could trigger a global trade war, adding that protectionism helped lay the foundation for World War II."



What's he going to do, send the bombers back over Pearl Harbor?


NO stop selling cars here...force us to buy GM/UAW garbage

Lack of foreign competition is how we got domestic junk cars.

 

[mstrjon32]

Originally Posted By: PT1
Japan is a good and trading partner to the US. Japanese corporations have invested billions of dollars in the US in manufacturing infrastructure and job creation. Not to mention making some of the best cars on the market. They have expanded US awareness with the successful introduction of eco-friendly high volume hybrid vehicles while the overstuffed SUV crazy Detroit 3 continue to lead America down the path to energy ruination and economic collapse. The "buy American" mantra is only the current administration pandering to the pigs at the UAW who just want to feed at the trough of US taxpayer dollars. They are the true "traitors" in America. If they cared about this country none would take taxpayer money to subsidize their poor quality products.


I gotta tell you PT1, the more of your tax dollars that go to the UAW, the happier I am.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: mstrjon32
Originally Posted By: PT1
Japan is a good and trading partner to the US. Japanese corporations have invested billions of dollars in the US in manufacturing infrastructure and job creation. Not to mention making some of the best cars on the market. They have expanded US awareness with the successful introduction of eco-friendly high volume hybrid vehicles while the overstuffed SUV crazy Detroit 3 continue to lead America down the path to energy ruination and economic collapse. The "buy American" mantra is only the current administration pandering to the pigs at the UAW who just want to feed at the trough of US taxpayer dollars. They are the true "traitors" in America. If they cared about this country none would take taxpayer money to subsidize their poor quality products.


I gotta tell you PT1, the more of your tax dollars that go to the UAW, the happier I am.


Me too...because then when they have pumped $30billion in them and the US public has totally had it...they can finall die the death they deserve...so it's worth $30 billion to get rid of them once and for all because they aer ruining the US auto industry. I say give em $50 billion so when Joe American hears UAW he vomits.

 

[D189379]

Originally Posted By: PT1
Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: mstrjon32
I particularly love this gem: "He said such moves could trigger a global trade war, adding that protectionism helped lay the foundation for World War II."



What's he going to do, send the bombers back over Pearl Harbor?


NO stop selling cars here...force us to buy GM/UAW garbage

I wonder how many Americans would be proudly waving thier flags as they're forced to buy $40,000 GM and Ford econo boxes.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: D189379
Originally Posted By: PT1
Originally Posted By: css9450
Originally Posted By: mstrjon32
I particularly love this gem: "He said such moves could trigger a global trade war, adding that protectionism helped lay the foundation for World War II."



What's he going to do, send the bombers back over Pearl Harbor?


NO stop selling cars here...force us to buy GM/UAW garbage

I wonder how many Americans would be proudly waving thier flags as they're forced to buy $40,000 GM and Ford econo boxes.


Not many....I had enough of them.

 

[mstrjon32]

Originally Posted By: PT1
Me too...because then when they have pumped $30billion in them and the US public has totally had it...they can finall die the death they deserve...so it's worth $30 billion to get rid of them once and for all because they aer ruining the US auto industry. I say give em $50 billion so when Joe American hears UAW he vomits.

Your ignorance is astounding. What do you think happens to the money that gets paid to UAW employees? Do they stuff it under their mattress? No, I don't care if they spend it sending their kids to college or if on beer and porn, it's money being spent in America, fueling our greater economy and helping every other business to survive and thrive.

You want to pay them half as much, guess what, they're going to spend half as much, an effect that ripples through the economy. Worse still, buy a car made in Japan and you're effectively just throwing it out the window. If you think their "investments" in America even come close, you're nuts.

 

[PT1]

Originally Posted By: mstrjon32
Originally Posted By: PT1
Me too...because then when they have pumped $30billion in them and the US public has totally had it...they can finall die the death they deserve...so it's worth $30 billion to get rid of them once and for all because they aer ruining the US auto industry. I say give em $50 billion so when Joe American hears UAW he vomits.

Your ignorance is astounding. What do you think happens to the money that gets paid to UAW employees? Do they stuff it under their mattress? No, I don't care if they spend it sending their kids to college or if on beer and porn, it's money being spent in America, fueling our greater economy and helping every other business to survive and thrive.

You want to pay them half as much, guess what, they're going to spend half as much, an effect that ripples through the economy. Worse still, buy a car made in Japan and you're effectively just throwing it out the window. If you think their "investments" in America even come close, you're nuts.


UAW workers are worth about $12/hr IMO. If you had ever been in Detroit and see how these UAW guys live...most have a vacation house on the lake, lots of toys... believe me they are not suffering. Paying a guy $100k to turn a lug nut is just plain bad business. The UAW is really part of what is wrong with America. They are the most selfish un-American greedlings on the planet. AND all they do is sit in front of a TV camera and cry like babies. They have no pride.