|
Korean Job Discussion Forums
"The Internet's Meeting Place for ESL/EFL Teachers from Around the World!"
|
| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
JeJuJitsu
Joined: 11 Sep 2005
Location: McDonald's
|
 Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 5:01 pm Post subject: FTA Impact |
 |
|
Hola all,
Anyone know how the new FTA will affect electronics and computers? Would I have saved the 20% duty/tax/VAT or whatever those taxes are if I would have waited a little while to buy a computer from the States? Can you now bring over (OR HAVE SENT OVER) laptops, gadgets, mountain bikes, even clothes for free now?
This would be most excellent. Anyone know? |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
gsxr750r
Joined: 29 Jan 2007
|
| Posted: Tue Apr 03, 2007 6:11 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Not sure, but it still might die in congress on the US side. Many people feel it's not a fair deal for the USA:
https://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2007/04/04/200704040045.asp
| Quote: |
"Instead of guaranteed market access, the U.S.-Korea agreement would end duties and certain taxes on U.S. autos as well as establish what Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Karan Bhatia said was an "unprecedented" system for resolving disputes that may arise in auto trade.
That hasn't placated automakers, or Michigan Democratic Senator Debbie Stabenow, who said the accord would increase the U.S. trade deficit and hurt automakers.
"The administration has delivered another agreement that will increase our trade deficit, cost us jobs, and hurt our automobile industry and other manufacturers," Stabenow said in a statement.
Rice excluded
"We are extremely disappointed with the outcome," Steve Biegun, vice president for Ford, said in a statement. "This agreement should not be approved by the Congress in its current form."
AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said the agreement "is likely to exacerbate and accelerate the loss of good jobs in the U.S. manufacturing sector, especially in autos, apparel, and electronics."
In addition, the accord "contains no enforceable protections for core workers' rights," Sweeney said in a statement.
Senator Charles Grassley, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, said he had "mixed feelings" about the agreement because rice was excluded.
About half of South Korea's farmers grow rice, and duties on rice imported into Korea make its price about four times that of the world average. Under a deal worked out as part of trade negotiations in the early 1990s, Korea was allowed to preserve a quota on imports of rice - and those quotas will persist.
At the end of the talks in Seoul, "It became very clear that there would be no deal if we insisted on the inclusion of rice," Schwab said.
"I oppose taking agricultural products off the table in trade negotiations," Grassley said. "It just facilitates the continuation of protectionism." (Bloomberg) " |
Also from Senator Grassley's website (he's my senator, and one of the most powerful ones in the US congress):
http://grassley.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressReleases.View&PressRelease_id=5338
| Quote: |
| "Even more problematic is the absence of an agreement to remove Korea�s ban on U.S. beef, which is not scientifically justified. The fact is, U.S. beef is safe. Millions of consumers enjoy it every day. The political reality in Congress is that no matter the benefits, this agreement is dead on arrival until the beef issue gets resolved. I urge the Korean government to engage our Administration in a strong effort to resolve the beef issue as quickly as possible." |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
hanguker
Joined: 16 Mar 2005
Location: Korea
|
| Posted: Wed Apr 04, 2007 3:10 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I'm hoping for good things! I don't think it will affect PCs too much, but maybe electronics. PC components are fairly cheap here, I think.
I know cars, beef, apples/oranges (mmm...I want cheap fruit), services (?) and textiles, are on the tariff free agenda...
Anyone know where you can find a full list of all the FTA proposals...if they're even available?
Cheers. |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
