The Globe and Mail wants to see punitive non-tariff barriers dropped before Canada signs an FTA with Korea. I say, good luck with that. Heck, why not try to get BC pot included in the deal, too, while you’re at it — it’d probably be easier. NOTE: Boy, that “tax audit for owners of foreign cars” story sure has legs. As far as I know, Korea doesn’t do that any more. (HT to reader)
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7 Comments
Wrong link.
Link fixed. Thanks.
Korea is probably being pretty damn stringent on auto imports from Canada because the U.S. big three have a significant presence in Canada. I believe the Camaro is entirely built in Canada and much of the parts of the Mustang and a number of Ford SUVs are manufactured there also.
The U.S. big three can potentially use Canada as a way to circumvent the American FTA with Korea by just expanding production of cars and auto parts north of the border. I’d imagine similarly difficult negotiations with Mexico if Korea is ever to seek an FTA with that country.
#3,
You mean like how Hyundai builds cars in Canada to take advantage of NAFTA?
the editorial is right and wrong. much of the lines in there are straight out of Canadian Auto Workers union talking points. That’s where the tax audit BS came from, a point that some canadian guy pointed out in the comments section.
but canada is right to say PFO to Korea. koreans do not negotiate to find compromise and win-win. they search for the “we win, you lose”. on that basis alone, countries shouldn’t sign free trade agreements with them.
mjw,
I would hazard a guess that North American negotiating structure is based around getting the best possible deal. I don’t think it is fair to criticize Korea on this point.
Failing to negotiate certain items altogether is a different issue….
it’s more grudging admiration than criticism. but while i take your point, i would disagree slightly to say that the spirit of compromise is much higher in canada than Korea. it’s why i’ve said for years that the canadians shouldn’t even sit down at the same table as the koreans or they’ll get worked over.