Wrong Time

Reuters had an article today stating that U.S. Trade Negotiators were still committed to completing the Doho Round of Trade talks successfully. The Trade Talks have never been my favorite, as my Readers know, and the Bush fast tracking mandate resonates even less well. Free Trade treaties tie the hands of both Government and Business, disallowing optimum Trade negotiations at the point of impact Contract level. One article by Edward Hugh announces Japan has just had the worst month for Capital Equipment orders in 20 years. Another Post by him states that French industrial output is falling. Bush wants to tie the hands of the real Trade Negotiators exactly when Trade advantages can be realized through tough Contract discussions.

We are heading into a tougher economic environment in this Country, and the rigors of matching Trade treaty commitments will only cut into the Profits of any Trade contract which is formulated. A real hazard resides in the Bush administration policy of making Agricultural concessions to get such a Treaty, when hard times will reinforce the need for the Agricultural subsidies which Bush would give away. It is also the one area where American production still has a real advantage, as the World has yet to learn how to feed itself. This Author wishes he was waving to the Bush fast tracking mandate in the Rearview mirror.

Here lies the Stupidty: We finally are beginning to see some curb on Consumer Spending, We are beginning to get a break on Energy with Oil down to $65/barrel, We have achieved Fed hesitation to raise the Overnight above 5.25%, and the Bush administation wants to hamstring Us with a snare of artificial restrictions that will never make sense. I can only hope that the Bush administration will work with the diligent speed of normal Government policy, and he will be out of Office before he can commit Us to any more drivel. lgl