CAFTA vote story

<----- This is me laughing hysterically at Mike Pence's claim.

There is NO WAY that the Central American countries in CAFTA are going to generate "$41,000,000 a year" for Indiana. I will repeat that for you, CMG: There is NO WAY that the Central American countries in CAFTA are going to generate "$41,000,000 a year" for Indiana.

Why don't you do a little research on these economic powerhouses that make up CAFTA.

$41,000,000..............
Come on, CMG: you're better than this.

Hope you have a great weekend,
BiR

 

That's not much money; there are a lot of Americans worth more than that!

 

According to the Office of the US Trade Representative, BiR:

"Central America is already good markets for U.S. agricultural products. The United States has a number of competitive advantages in Central America. U.S. agricultural exports to the region totaled over $1 billion in 2002. The United States is the region's single largest source of agricultural imports, accounting for 41 percent of imports by value in 2001."

 

From the Indiana Farm Bureau, BiR:

Indiana’s top five agricultural exports in 2000 were:

· soybeans and products -- $543 million

· feed grains and products -- $470 million

· live animals and red meats -- $107 million

· wheat and products -- $69 million

· poultry and products -- $55 million

 

Perhaps you are finally starting to get it.....

Hey, wait a minute: I thought that CAFTA opened up this area of the world to US exports.

Divide $41 million by $1 billion. That's not much of an uptick...........

 

The $41,000,000 pertained to Indiana only, BiR. The MidWest has a weak economy compared to the coasts--every little bit helps.

 

So, you really believe that the countries of Central America and the Dominican Republic not only spend a billion dollars on American goods, but they will spend even more now that we have CAFTA to eliminate the barriers to an already-billion-dollar group of trading partners?

Exactly what do these countries do that generates enough to purchase a billion dollars in agricultural products? Why would a largely agricultural country spend so much money on crops that they already grow?

Regards,
BiR

 

Because we can grow 'em cheaper.

This is my only real concern with CAFTA, that it will put farmers in Central America out of business because they can't compete with our prices.

 

Are you sure about that?

What would make you think this would happen? It didn't happen with NAFTA, did it? I certainly do see a lot of produce from Mexico in my neighborhood grocery store.......

Regards,
BiR