MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
Argentina accepts consultation with EU on trade restrictions and also drags Falklands’ to the dispute
Argentina announced on Monday it had accepted the request from the European Union for a round of consultations, before the World Trade Organization, on the country’s controversial trade policies, but at the same time rejected all and every one of the questioned points and dragged the Falklands’ dispute into the fray. Read full article
Comments
Disclaimer & comment rulesForeign Minister Timerman is an embarrassment to Argentina.
Jun 04th, 2012 - 10:44 pm - Link - Report abuse 0There we go, the Europeans want to talk now.
Jun 04th, 2012 - 10:46 pm - Link - Report abuse 0That opens the door for dialogue. When we sit down, we tell you to open your markets, and then we are done.
The best solution is for the military to escort Cristina, Timerman and their ilk aboard some cargo planes and send them on a one-way sightseeing trip over the South Atlantic. They are destroying Argentina!
Jun 04th, 2012 - 10:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0What can the rest of the EU do about the FI? The Germans hold the cards and they need the UK to play the winning hands.
Jun 04th, 2012 - 10:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Bye bye Argentina. I just flushed something down the bog which reminds me of you.
You know, I'd rather be destroyed than continue to be thought of as fools by the likes of the EU, USA, Japan, etc.
Jun 04th, 2012 - 10:56 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Someone has to stand up to them, Chichureo. If Chile, Brazil, Mexico, or anyone in Africa or Asia won't then we will.
They have to be called for their unfair practices.
@3
Jun 04th, 2012 - 11:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I think Timmerman has a point up until he brings the FIs in to the question.
But getting the French to budge on the CAP would be more difficult than getting Argentina to renounce the FIs.
He is clearly not looking for common ground.
I agree the Falklands foisting is pathetic. I would punch him in the face so that he woke up how retarded it looks Argentina bringing this up in every solitary situation.
Jun 04th, 2012 - 11:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I think the punch would do him some good.
Jun 04th, 2012 - 11:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 0What is the reluctance in Argentina to negotiate bilateral free trade agreements?
Argentina already has a favourable trade balance with the EU. I can only assume that it would widen if the barriers came down.
I don't want to say this to offend you, but I think for countries like Chile, Uruguay, Peru, Colombia, it is much easier to do free trade because their economic growth is more recent and (this is where I don't want to offend you), really had no industry, agriculture, or much of any other sectors whatsoever. Chile was copper, Peru was tourism, Uruguay an offshore bank of Argentina, Colombia more illicit things.
Jun 04th, 2012 - 11:55 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Since you imported already so many things, it was to your benefit to have those imports lower or 0 tariff and at the same time open the markets for your products.
Argentina has had high level agriculture, industry, and services for much longer (our economy developed in the 19th century when the rest of Latin America was dirt poor), and as such there are many vested interests trying to protect themselves from competition, fair and unfair (and the EU/USA have a lot of unfair practices).
Since we had industries to protect since the 1950s, then it is much harder to go for free trade, specially when there is nothing free about it as Europeans and Americans subsidize their producers to allow them to sell at low market prices to “compete” with us. Problem is we don't afford our industries such subsidies, our prices our lower because our wages are lower. They want to keep their high wages and still sell their products low, so they subsidize.
When Argentina takes measures to stop this (which are now way out of control admittedly under CFK), they get angry.
you cannot punch a brain dead indocronoughts .
Jun 05th, 2012 - 12:11 am - Link - Report abuse 0just like you cannot talk to a zombie,
you should know this .
This man is so indoctrinated, that he is totally blind and deaf to those around him,
Just like all Kirchnerites
ROTFL!!!
Jun 05th, 2012 - 12:39 am - Link - Report abuse 0You can't make this up!!!
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/8ef07ff0-ab2c-11e1-b875-00144feabdc0.html
“Holders of some UK index-linked gilts could see more than 40 per cent wiped off the value of their bonds, according to M&G Investments, as a result of technical changes to the way the retail price index, which underpins these “linkers”, is calculated.”
“The mooted changes are designed to eliminate “unjustified” causes of the persistent gap between inflation as measured by the RPI and the normally lower consumer price index, narrowing the “wedge” between the two measures by altering the way the RPI is calculated. Some industry figures believe the gap between the two measures could be eliminated entirely.”
NOW WHO DOES THIS REMIND ME OF????
There goes the anglo-saxon morality high-ground on debt which I have been subjected to for all this time. How can you say anything about Argentina now...
You better go out and protest before its too late... 238 billion pounds.
Fudging numbers, lowering bond returns... oh, and doctors going on strike with hospitals shutting for the first time in 40 years, and back in recession.
This is a disastruous development, how can you all now talk smack about Argentina's “policies”?
:o
Like I said, a one way ride out over the South Atlantic and dump them in the sea. All the decent Argentineans then could go on with their lives in peace, not with this economic piracy.
Jun 05th, 2012 - 12:55 am - Link - Report abuse 0@9
Jun 05th, 2012 - 01:01 am - Link - Report abuse 0No offence taken. I agree that Chile doesn’t export much that Europe can source internally.
But for Argentina, a country of 40m it must be to their advantage to have access to a market of 400m, even if the playing field is not even.
The “trade game”, everyone tries to sell more than they buy. Argentina's main trade partners are Brazil, China and the EU countries. Argentina has a trade surplus with EU countries but needs to widen it because they can't make up the huge trade shortfalls against Brazil and China and lately the US. This issue is going nowhere fast.
Jun 05th, 2012 - 01:03 am - Link - Report abuse 0The EU and Argentina will “consult” and then disagree and then the EU will pursue a WTO ruling which mostly likely take 2 & 1/2 years to be finalized and then if the WTO ruling is favorable the EU countries can level sanctions against Argentina so there is plenty of time to work out a deal.
Argentina is most likely playing for time so I am guessing will go on until Argentina can get the trade surplus back to where they want it and or the energy imports bill is reduced
@14
Jun 05th, 2012 - 01:10 am - Link - Report abuse 0Would a free trade agreement widen or narrow Argentina's trade gap with the EU?
“Furthermore the defence of Argentina involves not only the economic interests of the country but also those of the developing countries which make use of trade policy as a tool for national development”
Jun 05th, 2012 - 01:18 am - Link - Report abuse 0Good for Argentina, under the leadership of Cristina it is acting as a tribune of the opressed for the whole world =)
#3 Your mask just slipped, you don't like having democrats in charge do you? And interesting you say this on a thread about how they're standing up to the unfair practices of the rich world; the militarists and fascists may rage and scream about nationalism but in the end are puppets of foreign rule. God willing neither dictatorship nor US control is coming back =)
@13
Jun 05th, 2012 - 01:18 am - Link - Report abuse 0Many argentines have the mentality to play to not to lose, and not to win. As a result, in terms of free-trade we are just suspicious of everyone.
Partly with good cause, but partly one has to admit is perhaps the we judge everyone else... as the saying in Spanish says “por su condicion”. I don't think there is a suitable translation for the adage.
Countries like Chile, Peru, Colombia (coincidentally in the Pacific), really had nothing to lose since they imported much of their products including foodstuffs, so free trade is almost a win-win.
In Argentina were you have so many (corrupted) interest from the toy industry to the textile industry, from the shoe makers to steel, and of course the very powerful farming lobby, plus the fact we don't need to import any food, makes the question of free-trade far more gray. As a lot of people think they will lose out, and there is no clear cut benefit for what comes in (as again, we don't import food).
BK
Jun 05th, 2012 - 01:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0I doubt CFK is interested in the oppressed people of the world.
@3
Jun 05th, 2012 - 01:48 am - Link - Report abuse 0“The Germans hold the cards and they need the UK to play the winning hands.”
How is the UK going to play a winning hand if the Germans are holding the cards?
17 TTT
Jun 05th, 2012 - 02:34 am - Link - Report abuse 0True, it may be less of a black and white issue for Argentina, than for Chile, but other countries around the world with advanced/diversified economies have managed to come to free-trade agreements with each other. Of course there are always trade disputes and politically sensitive (often protected) industries in all countries, but these disputes are usually put to one side to be resolved without escalation. Current Argie protectionism can’t be a good way of increasing Argie exports.
BTW, Peruvians are hugely suspicious of free-trade and foreign investment in their country. From what I have seen in Peru, they are so suspicious of outsiders, they even have disputes between the regions. It is a country with weak institutions, high level of corruptions and generally low level of education. Opening up the country up is potentially risky. I hope they can make it work.
Look at all these politicians posting in this forum!! What a shame that you all dont rule the world!
Jun 05th, 2012 - 02:47 am - Link - Report abuse 0One thing we can all learn from history is that we learn nothing from history!!!
Any chatter by Timerman about threatening the sovereignty of any EU member's Overseas Territory should be grounds for immediate halt in negotiations until and unless Argentina promises to respect sovereignty of any OCTs, specifically the Falkland Islands. If the EU can't support Britain and the Falkland Islands, what good is it?
Jun 05th, 2012 - 03:23 am - Link - Report abuse 0What power has a trade organisation over Sovereignty dispute? This man clearly knows nothing about international organisations, as if the EU would change the details of the Lisbon Treaty purely because of his childish whinging.
Jun 05th, 2012 - 06:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0@2 There we go, the Argentines want to talk now.
Jun 05th, 2012 - 09:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0That opens the door for dialogue. When we sit down, we tell you you're not having the Falkland Islands, and then we are done.
leave cold,
Jun 05th, 2012 - 10:03 am - Link - Report abuse 0EU has ~ 15 -- 20 % of Argentian/Brazil exports.
@24 Good point.
Jun 05th, 2012 - 10:16 am - Link - Report abuse 0Britain could do the same with UN Resolution 2065, to tick the UN box. Agree to discuss sovereignty. Then tell Argentina that no agreement other than the UK retaining full sovereignty of the FI can be agreed. Even take members of the FIG in too... They couldn't complain about it, as it says something similar in their constitution.
Timerman is an ass & needs a swift kick in the arse.
Jun 05th, 2012 - 10:40 am - Link - Report abuse 0@26. I believe the UK was compliant with all UN requests to discuss Argentina's sovereignty dispute with a view to finding a peaceful solution, but Argentina ended these negotiations by its illegal invasion and occupation of South Georgia and subsequently the Falkland Islands
Jun 05th, 2012 - 01:11 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I understand that Argentina's illegal acts of aggression and subsequent unilateral acts are two of the reasons why the Falkland Islanders and the British government adopts its current negotiating posture, Great Britain's UN Charter obligations to the Falkland Islanders notwithstanding
I think Argentina needs to offer its hand in friendship and goodwill. Then, perhaps, once all peoples have forgiven one another for the past, they can become firm friends and resolve their differences amicably.
I hope so.
@28
Jun 05th, 2012 - 03:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0As much as I respect your view, I think it has gone much too far with Argentine agression for any sound minded Falklander to even consider believing anything the present Argentine government 'says'.
@20
Jun 05th, 2012 - 04:23 pm - Link - Report abuse 0I think it is exactly because we are not at either extreme (our industry is not the most advanced or added-value, but we have major industries unlike many free trade countries that don't), that the country is paralyzed.
It is easy for countries with very competitive industries to be all for free trade (and still then, they subsidize).
It is easy for countries that depend on trade, imports, or are small financial centers to be for free trade (they already need to trade for much so what's there to lose).
It is difficult for countries whose industries could be wiped-out by indiscriminate imports, and who are self-sufficient in many areas (food, agriculture, minerals, until recently oil though we could be again, internal consumption), to see manifest advantages to free-trade.
I tend to be for free-trade, more isolationist in foreign relations. I just don't see given the current climate of subsidies that it would be fair for us to sign anything.
@1 “argentina” is an embarrassment to “argentina”.
Jun 05th, 2012 - 04:32 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@2 And we tell you to get stuffed and we are done!
@5 Tell you what. We don't want your crap over here! Now, how is that unfair?
@8 The thing is that Europe, with thousands of years of experience, doesn't want substandard or ecologically unsafe goods shipped in from a place for which the word “truth” is only a word. I spent a considerable number of years on my country's border. With 26 exceptions (although not always) every other country has to comply with certain rules if it wants to ship goods to my country. We don't like manufactured goods that are substandard and dangerous. We don't like “grown” goods that are contaminated by unacceptable hormones, chemicals, bacteria, insects and the like.
@9 “Argentina has had high level agriculture, industry, and services”. Mostly built by the British. But check out the history. Every time you had “relatively” free trade, you prospered. Every time you went protectionist, your economy nosedived.
@16 Where are these “democrats”? Wogga wogga land (full of argies) doesn't have any in its government. It has plutocrats.
@17 What you mean is that you think everyone else is as crooked as you are.
@25 Keep it. We can get it elsewhere.
@28 Any claim for the Falkland Islands ended in 1850. If wogga wogga land (full of argies) offered its hand in friendship and goodwill, I'd count my fingers. Then I'd watch what their other hand was doing. Finally, I'd beat them over the head with an axe so that I could recover whatever they'd managed to thieve anyway!
LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL!!!!!!!!!!
Jun 05th, 2012 - 05:06 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Foreign Minister Timerman speaks of “a state member from the European Union systematically ignores 39 resolutions from the United Nations”
LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL!!!!!!!!!!
Mr Timerman, you are a joke!! Stop embarrassing yourself and all Argentinians everywhere. Might I ask how many resolutions from the United Nations Argentina has failed to comply with?? Could you please answer that one of us?
LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL, LOL!!!!!!!!!!
Argentina has come under a barrage of criticism at the WTO where the US, EU, Japan and 10 other countries accused it of tying up imports in red tape after CFK & Co imposed a system to pre-approve or reject EVERY purchase from abroad.
Jun 05th, 2012 - 06:28 pm - Link - Report abuse 0From this week any Argentinian who wants to take a foreign holiday must not only provide his tax identification number but also tell the tax agancy (AFIP) where and why he is going. Argentine officials say this is all necessary to fight tax evasion and money laundering. In reality the reason is that the government of CFK is starting to run out of dollars. Since the inflation rate is at 30% the government is terrified of letting the Peso depreciate and is resorting to a seige economy.
The Tin man will no doubt use the Falklands as an excuse.
Perhaps these 39 resolutions from the United Nations,
Jun 05th, 2012 - 07:09 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Are the same ones that our deluded argie bloggers keep going on about,
Amazing then, that they mysteriously can name these 39 resolutions in detail.
.
@32 What the Tinpot man fails to mention is that all the resolutions he refers to were and are NON-BINDING. At the same time, he fails to mention 2 UNSC resolutions, that are BINDING, were ignored by wogga wogga land.
Jun 05th, 2012 - 07:35 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@33 Let's keep our fingers crossed. How long will it be before wogga wogga land can't import or export anything?
@34 No, it's not amazing. Various wogga wogga land “ministries” keep lists of these resolutions with explanations of how they “support” wogga wogga land's claims. These are distributed on a regular basis to “organisations” such as La Campora. It has to be done on a regular basis because the thickos can't actually read. There are regular seminars to show them how to “copy and paste”. But they forget and wipe their backsides with the stuff. Then they wipe the sweat of their faces with the same stuff. Dual-purpose, you see. They get a “tan” at the same time!
Argentina have routinely ignored UN resolutions, recommendations. They are SO STUPID! No discussions on soveriegnity can take place when Argentina will not accept anyother solution than the Falkland Islands being an Argentine colony. But I think UK WITH FIG reps, should turn up to 'negotiations.'
Jun 05th, 2012 - 07:37 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Argentina: According to our constitution Islas Falkllands are ours.
UK: According to history they are not.
FIG: According to UN rules on de-colonialisation they're ours.
End of meeting.
35 Conqueror
Jun 05th, 2012 - 08:01 pm - Link - Report abuse 036 Pete Bog
agreed
Timerman,
Jun 05th, 2012 - 10:02 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Wave your finger around as much as you like.
No-one is taking any notice of you & you are only poking holes in the air.
@36 Pete Bog,
l'd love to be at that meeting.
LOL
@29. Yes. It would take sustained and sincere effort over several generations to repair the damage
Jun 05th, 2012 - 10:54 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@31. I agree. Obviously this much change for the better!
@36: Agreed, but perhaps such a meeting needs to take place via the UN ICJ?
The UN enforces UN resolutions, not the EU. The EU has no power in this regard. Besides the realpolitik is that Britain, behind Germany, France run the EU and are all major net contributors along with the Italy and the Netherlands. Yet Great Britain also helps underpin the Euro bail-out and has the joint most powerful military in the EU and is essential for the proper functioning of NATO. Politically, it is not in the interest of the major EU states to permanently damage their relations with Great Britain on the non-issue of the Falkland Islands, hence their inclusion as a British Overseas Territory in the Lisbon Treaty. That was realpolitik in action.
#38 “l'd love to be at that meeting”
Jun 05th, 2012 - 11:08 pm - Link - Report abuse 0And why not? Or at least a future one. Surely in a small community like the Falklands a committed, articulate person like you could do well if you stood for election; the ratio of representatives to people must be quite high as new “Falklands lawmakers” keep popping up here all the time in guest posts. So how about it, you might even get to meet Cristina (now that WOULD be interesting...)
40: do I have to look at her in the reflection of my shield for safety's sake?
Jun 06th, 2012 - 11:17 am - Link - Report abuse 041 Boovis
Jun 06th, 2012 - 11:38 am - Link - Report abuse 0No, just whip a brown paper bag over her head: better still, make it a plastic one and seal it with sellotape -that would solve everybody's problem. :o)
I was thinking of sticking it a bag and waving it at a Kraken.
Jun 06th, 2012 - 12:48 pm - Link - Report abuse 0@40B_K,
Jun 06th, 2012 - 01:03 pm - Link - Report abuse 0She wouldn't like me there, as l would make it plain straight up that there is NOTHING to “negotiate”.
l could pass on your love letters for you, though!
If you to met,
Jun 06th, 2012 - 07:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0It would be most embarrassing for one of you,
After seeing the real thing,
CFK would understand just how cheap plastic is ,
There is no alternative to the real beautiful things in life,
And her expensive plastic could never complete with you.
[ the real thing ]
.
Thank You, Mr briton.
Jun 06th, 2012 - 08:41 pm - Link - Report abuse 0You've touched my heart & made my day.♥
anytime .
Jun 06th, 2012 - 11:16 pm - Link - Report abuse 0We support The current Argentine policy on the trade balance demand, we pay high taxes in Canada for imported alcohol and tabbaco and no one in Canada complains, as a matter of fact everyone Suporots the policy, in a way all of Canada could be said to quietly supports Argentina's stand.
Jun 09th, 2012 - 02:38 pm - Link - Report abuse 048 Pratt-Junta
Jun 09th, 2012 - 05:50 pm - Link - Report abuse 0Living up to your tag still, I see.
“in a way all of Canada could be said to quietly supports Argentina's stand.”
Just like they did at the OAS!
They told The Mad Bitch of Argentina and the rest of her deluded followers to (diplomatically) fcuk off.
Well done Canada.
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Jun 11th, 2012 - 10:10 pm - Link - Report abuse 0https://www.facebook.com/Britain1592
No evidence that Canada supports anything like Argentina's economic policies, whether its trade balances or anything else.
Jun 12th, 2012 - 12:21 am - Link - Report abuse 0Canada supports free trade and has been getting free trade agreements in many countries.
Many Canadians complain about high liquor and cigarette taxes - its why many Canadians brew their own, buy cigs at duty-free Indian reservation shops, or smuggle hundreds of tons of US cigs into Canada.
Certainly, there probably are in Canada some types who slavishly support CFK, Castro, Iran, Hugo Chávez, and are nostalgic for the Soviet Union. A few of these types in most of our Western countries, eh?
Very proud that Canada took a stand at both OAS Summit in Cartagena and OAS General Assembly in Cochabamba and said no to to anti-Falklands sentiment of Latin America.
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