United States News
The latest news from and about U.S. issues.Monday, October 05, 2009
NAFTA: A Delicate Balance
World Trade, October 5, 2009 - “At a time when markets around the world are struggling to find a competitive advantage, North America has one that has been in place for over 15 years. The trade agreement between the U.S., Canada and Mexico has opened markets and established a record of growth and success that could prove key to a strong recovery. But no agreement is perfect and there are issues with NAFTA that businesses argue must be addressed if it is to live up to its promise. The economic crisis in the U.S. has had a definite impact on its NAFTA trading partners—Canada is the U.S.’s largest trading partner, Mexico its third largest. Trade with both countries is down, and there are concerns that an inward focus on the part of U.S. trade policy makers could lead to measures that weaken NAFTA. The U.S. stimulus measures, particularly the “Buy American” provisions included in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) resulted in loud cries from not only Canada and Mexico, but from within the U.S. itself. Businesses affected by the requirements fear that the open trade that developed over the years since NAFTA’s inception will be undermined by provisions that fail to understand the depth of the trading relationship.” Read More.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
The Climate Improves
The New York Times, September 26, 2009 - “ This week’s speeches at the United Nations by President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China raised hopes that — with vision, political will and a lot more work — the world may eventually reach a new agreement to curb greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, back in Washington, the struggle continued on a retail level. The Senate’s Democratic leadership managed to beat back an extraordinarily mischievous amendment to a spending bill offered by Senator Lisa Murkowski, an Alaska Republican. The amendment would have blocked the Environmental Protection Agency from using its authority under the Clean Air Act to regulate carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from major sources like power plants and vehicles. The amendment was in clear conflict with a landmark 2007 Supreme Court decision giving the agency explicit authority to regulate such gases from vehicles and implicit authority to regulate them from other sources. With a global climate summit in Copenhagen less than three months away, the move would also have sent a terrible signal about Washington’s lack of commitment.” Read More.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
How Ted Kennedy Helped Shaped Energy and Climate Change Policy ClimateBiz.com
Reuters, September 1, 2009 - “With the death of Senator Edward Kennedy, America lost a vigorous supporter of clean energy and the environment. Ted Kennedy played a key role in passing numerous critical bills on behalf of environmental and clean energy causes, including measures on fuel economy, brownfields cleanup and revitalization, and home energy efficiency assistance for families of modest means. As did scores of Americans, I turned out to pay my final respects to Senator Kennedy this past week. I was one of the thousands who lined the route from the U.S. Capitol to Arlington National Cemetery to honor the Senator as he was taken to his final resting place. The scene on my corner of Constitution Avenue across from the Capitol was pure Norman Rockwell, taking on the feel of a small town July Fourth parade. Citizens of all ages, races and ethnicities had gathered. Everyone waited patiently for some three hours, because rain in Boston had delayed the transport of Senator Kennedy’s casket to Washington. Luke Velie of the U.S. Capitol Police was on duty in front of my corner and kindly answered questions from the crowd. “The Senator’s plane hasn’t left Boston yet.” “They’ve just landed at Andrews.” “The hearse will be entering the Capitol from Independence Avenue—they’ll be turning by here on the way to Arlington.” Small children sat on their parents’ shoulders; many in the crowd waved flags. Read More.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Obama Sets Immigration Changes for 2010
The New York Times, August 11, 2009 - “Flanked by his counterparts from Mexico and Canada, President Obama on Monday reiterated his commitment to pursuing comprehensive immigration reform, despite his packed political agenda and the staunch opposition such an initiative is likely to face. Mr. Obama predicted that he would be successful but acknowledged the challenges, saying, “I’ve got a lot on my plate.” He added that there would almost certainly be “demagogues out there who try to suggest that any form or pathway for legalization for those who are already in the United States is unacceptable.” But in the most detailed outline yet of his timetable, the president said that he expected Congress, after completing work on health care, energy and financial regulation, to draft immigration bills this year. He said he would begin work on getting the measures passed in 2010. “Now, am I going to be able to snap my fingers and get this done? No,” the president said. “But ultimately, I think the American people want fairness. And we can create a system in which you have strong border security and an orderly process for people to come in. But we’re also giving an opportunity for those who are already in the United States to be able to achieve a pathway to citizenship so they don’t have to live in the shadows.” Read More.
Monday, August 10, 2009
“3 Amigos” Agree on Flu, Not Too Much Else
CBS, August 10, 2009 - “Obama to Tout Unified Approach to Swine Flu With Mexican, Canadian Counterparts; Differences Remain on Other Issues. “President Obama is to wrap up his two-day visit to Mexico and then return home to Washington on Monday after discovering that it’s much easier to agree on combating a killer flu virus than on tetchy trade and border issues with his neighbors to the north and south. Mr. Obama was to attend a trilateral meeting with President Felipe Calderon of Mexico and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada in Guadalajara. Trade, swine flu prevention and efforts to combat the violent drug trade between the United States and Mexico were high on the agenda for Monday’s meeting.After the meeting, the three men were scheduled to hold a news conference. CBS News White House correspondent Chip Reid reports that, for the president, the Mexico summit has offered a brief respite from the healthcare debate that is heating up back home, where critics of the Democratic plan being debated by Congress continued to express their anger in Mr. Obama’s absence at town hall meetings around the country. Mr. Obama flew into Mexico’s second-largest city late Sunday for the two-day speed summit with Calderon and Harper — a meeting whose main accomplishment will likely be a joint plan of attack for swine flu. But there was little chance of any breakthrough in long-running squabbles over Mexican trucks, or U.S. “Buy American” rules or how best to curb the deadly flow of drugs across the frontier. The so called “Three Amigos” summit began over dinner at an ornate cultural center in Guadalajara and was to conclude a mere 17 hours later with the joint news conference. In April, when Mr. Obama visited Mexico City, the first swine flu cases were just surfacing. Now, it’s a global epidemic that’s sickened more than 43,000 people in the United States and is blamed for 300 deaths. The toll in Mexico is at least 15,000 cases and 141 deaths; in Canada it’s 10,000 cases and 50 deaths.” Read More
Friday, August 07, 2009
The North American Leaders Summit: Promoting Economic Freedom and Security
The Heritage Society, August 6, 2009 - “On August 9-10, President Barack Obama will meet with President Felipe Calderón of Mexico and Prime Minister Stephen Harper of Canada at the fifth annual North American Leaders Summit in Guadalajara, Mexico. These leaders should focus attention on the strong ties binding North America: a shared commitment to democratic values, free markets, and expanding trade opportunities, the need to meet growing energy needs, and improving security against domestic and international threats. The 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) enhanced trade and investment flows between the three neighbors. Fifteen years later, NAFTA partners generate an annual GDP of $17 trillion, roughly 2.5 times greater than the People’s Republic of China and $2 trillion greater than the European Union. The NAFTA zone represents the largest single free-trade area on the planet, bar none. Working to strengthen vital economic ties and advancing strategies to exploit competitive advantages within a framework of three distinct, sovereign nations will preserve North America as a powerful leader for prosperity on the international scene.” Read More.
NACC Statement to Leaders in Advance of 2009 North American Leaders’ Summit
Americas Society, August 6, 2009 - “The severity of the global financial crisis that began in 2008 has triggered unprecedented cooperation among governments and central banks around the world. Together, they have worked quickly and effectively to provide both monetary easing and fiscal stimulus that clearly are having an impact. However, short-term stimulus could have serious longer-term effects on inflation and interest rates. In addition, a growing wave of protectionism is threatening prospects for recovery, and the economic outlook remains highly uncertain. The economies of Canada, Mexico, and the United States are among the most integrated in the world. Measures to enhance the competitiveness of North America have always been critical, but in this global economic downturn it is imperative that the three countries work together more intensively than ever to make the most of their strengths and set the stage for robust and sustained economic recovery. The benefits of greater integration and cooperation in North America are clear. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) has enhanced prosperity in all three countries through increased trade and investment, stronger economic growth, and lower prices for consumers. The North American Competitiveness Council (NACC) is a group of business leaders from Canada, Mexico, and the United States formed in 2006 to gather advice from the private sector on ways to enhance North America’s competitive position, promote increased employment, and foster a higher standard of living. The private sector is key to enhancing North America’s competitive position in global markets and is a driving force behind innovation and growth. The experience of the NACC over the past three years demonstrates the clear benefits of close cooperation among North America’s business communities as well as its governments.” Read More.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Obama, Calderón and Harper to Stress North American Cooperation at Summit
Mexidata, August 3, 2009 - “Improving North America’s economic competitiveness in global markets and addressing together the challenges of climate change and clean energy should be key components in the August 9-10 summit of the leaders of the United States, Mexico and Canada, a group of policy analysts tells America.gov Jim Jones, U.S. ambassador to Mexico from 1993-1997, said agreement on a “grand vision” by President Barack Obama, Mexican President Felipe Calderón and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to promote better economic integration would help the region become a major competitor in the world economy. Such improved integration, Jones said, would not be similar to the European Union economic model because a “very strong sense of sovereignty” exists among the three North American nations. But Jones said the meeting could work toward reducing bottlenecks in the flow of commerce across borders while meeting security concerns and promoting better consistency in trade rules and regulations.
The leaders’ summit was created in March 2005 and is held annually. This year’s summit will be in Guadalajara, Mexico. (See “North American Leaders to Meet August 9-10.”)” Read More.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
A battle of wills and water
Economist, July 30, 2009 - “TEN years in the making, William Vollmann’s latest book, “Imperial”, weighs in at a back-cricking four pounds (1.8kg). Were the author to devote the same attention to all the other 3,140 counties in America that he has to Imperial County in the extreme south-eastern corner of California, the result would stretch to more than 4m pages. Even for Mr Vollmann, that would be a tall order. But perhaps nothing is impossible for a man who, despite being only 50, has already written around 20 books, including a seven-volume history of the idea of violence, which he promptly republished in a condensed version that runs to more than 700 pages, and who churns out novels as well as his peculiar blend of history-cum-reportage-cum-philosophy (he is still at work on “Seven Dreams”, a cycle of seven novels about different aspects of the settlement of the Americas). Is all this a symptom of logorrhoea or of genius? Possibly both. The reader’s first impression on opening “Imperial” is that the publisher really ought to have assigned an editor to Mr Vollmann. Written in a mishmash of typefaces, its chapters alternately sprawling over 60 or 70 pages or just a couple of lines, “Imperial” leaps back and forth in time and geography like a maddened ping-pong ball. One has to wonder in what sense it really is a “book” at all, as opposed to the collection of jottings, musings, notes, documents and interviews that an author might assemble before settling down to the arduous business of selection and structuring involved in actually writing a book. It is, in short, a tall order to read.” Read More.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Obama: Renegotiate NAFTA as You Promised
FPIF, July 27, 2009 - “Though Mexican President Felipe Calderón and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper have done everything to maintain the status quo on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), President Barack Obama has promised to “push the restart button” on several trade deals. While it’s debatable how much his administration actually differs from its predecessor in these areas, trade activists remain hopeful that Obama will stick to his promises to renegotiate NAFTA and reconsider its expansion through the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP). Those promises include the above comment, which Obama made when he was still vying to become the Democratic presidential nominee. Obama wrote those words shortly before the fourth annual SPP summit took place in New Orleans. By that time, the annual gathering of North American government officials and private-sector executives had become a lightning rod for criticism across the political spectrum and across borders. Indeed, the summits have been closed-door venues for pursuing a private sector-led agenda of deregulation and militarization, an agenda that calls for lowering environmental and consumer safety standards and curbing civil liberties, under the guise of making North America more “secure and prosperous.” Read More.http://www.fpif.org/fpiftxt/6296
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