twin58
Nov 10 2003, 08:50 PM
Bush foreign policy 'is creating risks for US companies'Those damn Soviet stooges at
Financial Times said this:
QUOTE
By Stephen Fidler and Mark Huband in London
Published: November 10 2003 23:54 | Last Updated: November 10 2003 23:54
US multinational companies are \"acutely worried\" about the business consequences of Bush administration foreign policy, according to a new report from Control Risks, a UK-based international security consultancy.
\"The consequences of Bush's foreign policy have created new risks - and exacerbated existing risks - for US companies around the world,\" the report says. The company's RiskMap 2004 report describes US foreign policy as \"the most important single factor driving the development of global risk\".
It says many in the private sector \"believe that US unilateralism is creating a security paradox: by using US power unilaterally and aggressively in pursuit of global stability, the Bush administration is in fact creating precisely the opposite effect.\"
....
fantomas
Nov 11 2003, 01:00 PM
What risks? This sounds like a ploy for more government largess in the form of underwriting of insurance policies and other giveaways.
Don't these multinationals (are they even Ameriacn anymore?) corporations realize that, as TomFord and Trent Lott have said, US can just go smash the terrorists, crush 'em, and slap around any country that doesn't agree with W's ideals, of, as the National Review claimed, "liberty," which isn't culturally or socially constrained?
Just let W know. He'll take care of you.
[ November 11, 2003, 12:02 PM: Message edited by: fantomas ]
PhillyFan
Nov 11 2003, 01:12 PM
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
This just in, this just in... if you are going to do business in say... the middle east, south america, or africa... THERE ARE RISKS INVOLVED!
W's war blah blah blah... risks...blah blah blah.. killing business..blah blah blah...
Blah blah blah the rest of the world hates us now that W is in office... blah blah blah...
Come on folks. This is completely stupid. These businesses will do business with anyone who makes them money... american, germany, or even polish.
wade n atlanta
Nov 11 2003, 07:18 PM
As I try to understand from news reports:
Bush and the current government have implemented tarrifs and taxes on imports to try and save domestic companies that are failing (sounds very democratic if you ask me), but the result has not done that much to fortify the American businesses. The move has only caused an increased rift between European countries and the US traders. They are now threatening to do the same to US imports into their countries if the tarrifs and taxes are not lifted.
I personally don't care much for many of the European countries, but we can't go on believing that we are the "Greatest" and don't need the cooperation of other countries. The belief that we can be an island unto ourselves is simply naive and lacks understanding of international trade.
aquaman
Nov 12 2003, 11:48 AM
It seems to me that this report could be valid. There is certainly the possibility that US companies and US employees are more likely to be subject to negative business risks as a result of what foreigners see as W's obnoxious foreign policy.
US companies might face consumer boycotts, be less favored for overseas government contracts, experience competition from new service providers who appeal to a nationalistic or anti-American sentiment, plus US businessmen and their families could easily be targets of crime, terrorism, or ostracism by people in local markets.
The article is not saying that the risks will be realized, but that they are possible.
sportinlife
Nov 12 2003, 08:18 PM
The greater risk to US companies is lack of government regualtion. This creates an environment in which all businesses feel compelled to cheat to play or let the cheaters get ahead of them. Companies that constantly insist on totally unregulated commerce are risking killing the golden goose.
aquaman
Nov 13 2003, 08:13 AM
An interesting article I saw today which reminded me of this forum topic.
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml;j...storyID=3813973
wade n atlanta
Nov 13 2003, 11:05 AM
aquaman,
Your comments and the additional article are great examples of how other nations respond to what we do here in the US. We do not live in a vacuum. (Although some might say the job market sucks), and the things our government establishes as policy have far reaching effects on foreign shores. Those ripples come back to us eventually.
Jim Allen
Nov 13 2003, 01:01 PM
It's nice that they made the distinction that "We like Americans, we don't like Bush". Make no mistake though, Blair is viewed as a "God-botherer" (ie Bible thumper) and that doesn't help him; one of the things I like most about England is that being overly-religious is looked down upon, like it's a defect of character.
A side issue of this, I think, is what I call "Cultural Imperialism". I mean, it's really hard to find a good fish-n-chips place in London, but KFC and Pizza Hut? No problem. I think it's really depressing to be in a small town in the North and find a McDonald's there. And to see kids in Blackburn dressing like they're from the projects, blimey.
fantomas
Nov 13 2003, 01:31 PM
Projects...you mean "council flats"? Because Britain has millions of them--they invented the concept, so let's not get snarky.
Isn't Blair's wife Cherie Catholic? Is he? And isn't the new head of the Conservative Party, Michael Howard, Jewish? If Blair were a baptized and professing Catholic, wouldn't this mark a first in British history, to have a Catholic PM and a Jewish leader of the main opposition party? Benjamin Disraeli was the last Jewish PM, right? I assume that the opposition leader(s) during his tenure (I think the main one was David Lloyd-George) were not Romanists, but does anyone know?
Jim Allen
Nov 13 2003, 03:26 PM
QUOTE
Projects...you mean \"council flats\"?
No, I meant projects, sorry it was a stupid way to get the point across that kids in Blackburn or Rochdale or Scunthorpe dressing up like bling-bling gangstas is just silly. Speaking of Cultural Imperialism, f**king MTV!
I *think* Blair is CofE. I'll Google around and see what I find. [Back] Not much specific, just that Our Tony is \"Christian\". He's somewhat aligned himself to the Christian Socialist movement. I like this one quote I found:
QUOTE
LORD ROY HATTERSLEY: This is a basically an agnostic nation. We're sentimental about religion but people don't take it as seriously as they did even when I was a boy
Why I Love England, Reason #873,492.
[ November 13, 2003, 03:05 PM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]
Jim Allen
Nov 17 2003, 11:31 AM
I saw
this article today. Short version: by imposing steel tariffs, Bush has really pissed off the Blair government. And since the Karl Rove-led Ruling Junta are rank amateurs when it comes to politics, here's a few of the goodies in store for them:
QUOTE
Acting with the tacit approval of Blair supporters, who were enraged when Mr Bush imposed tariffs on imports of British steel to shore up his vote, the former trade and industry secretary will call for sanctions to be imposed on four key marginal states which the president will need to win.
The states - and the exports to be targeted - are:
· Florida and its citrus products. The state was the scene of the \"hanging chad\" saga in the 2000 presidential election, after Mr Bush and Al Gore virtually tied there;
· Wisconsin and its apples and paper. Mr Gore won this state by a tiny margin;
· Tennessee and its chemicals. Mr Bush scored a narrow victory in Mr Gore's home state;
· Iowa and its agricultural equipment. This state will play a key role when the nominations battle starts in January.
Mr Byers also calls for tariffs to be imposed on exports of textiles, which would hit states across the American south
Way to go, Ruling Junta. Cunts.
bobby78751
Nov 17 2003, 11:36 AM
QUOTE
PhillyFan:
These businesses will do business with anyone who makes them money... american, germany, or even polish.
I think it is un-American and un-Patriotic to type the word American and not capitalize it.
Jim Allen
Nov 17 2003, 03:23 PM
Well, if this happens, at least I can go to England and not see a f**king McDonald's in every town:
BushCo. to ask US companies to leave Britain.
QUOTE
GEORGE Bush's administration has called on US companies in Britain to relocate jobs to America in an astonishing move that could trigger a major trade war. US-based multinationals have been told they will receive compensation from American trade authorities if they cancel contracts in Britain and take jobs home, according to CBI director-general Digby Jones
BushCo. are spoiling for a trade war and if it happens, I'd say the EU has more leverage; we need to export more than they need to import. Trained economists opinions welcome, of course.
[ November 17, 2003, 04:29 PM: Message edited by: Jim Allen ]
Jim Allen
Dec 2 2003, 11:58 AM
Thought I'd bump this one up.
Old Europe kicks Bush's ass.
QUOTE
The Bush administration has decided to repeal most of its 20-month-old tariffs on imported steel to head off a trade war that would have included foreign retaliation against products exported from politically crucial states, administration and industry sources said yesterday.
The officials would not say when President Bush will announce the decision but said it is likely to be this week. The officials said they had to allow for the possibility that he would make some change in the plan, but a source close to the White House said it was \"all but set in stone.\"
Hee.
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