Thread: Mexico's bargaining chips with Trump? How about a corn boycott

Originally Posted by labrea

Kate Linthicum

First domesticated here 10,000 years ago, corn is not only a staple of the Mexican diet, but also a symbol of Mexico itself.

Since the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement in 1994, it has also become a symbol of Mexico’s growing economic dependence on the United States.

Now, as President Trump threatens Mexico with drastic changes on trade, its leaders are wielding corn as a weapon. Mexico’s Senate is considering legislation calling for a boycott of U.S. corn, and the government has begun negotiating with Argentina and Brazil to import corn from those nations tax-free.

The threat of a boycott is Mexico’s latest and perhaps cleverest attempt to fight back against Trump, whose threats to pull out of free trade agreements and slap a 20% import tax on Mexican products have shaken confidence in Mexico’s economy.

Mexico's bargaining chips with Trump? How about a corn boycott - LA Times

here's a fair trade off we deport all liberals to Mexico.

Fact is the reason the US exports corn is because we subsidize it. Mexico has targeted corn precisely because its a big juicy political target that will hurt the Republican base; I really don't blame them for that. However, in the grand scheme of things, the less corn we export, the better off American taxpayers are. US corn producers of course will be hurt, but agricultural subsidies naturally should be eliminated.

This has been going on for a long time. 2003 NY Times article: U.S. Corn Subsidies Said to Damage Mexico - The New York Times

"The more than $10 billion that American taxpayers give corn farmers every year in agricultural subsidies has helped destroy the livelihoods of millions of small Mexican farmers, according to a report to be released on Wednesday.

Prepared in advance of critical trade talks next month, the report by Oxfam International argues that the subsidies given American corn farmers allow them to sell their grain at prices far below what it costs to produce. That has led to cheap American corn flooding the Mexican market and pushing the poorest Mexican farmers out of business, the report said."

And then of course many of those Mexican corn farmers wind up with an incentive to cross the border.

Originally Posted by Constitutional Sheepdog

here's a fair trade off we deport all liberals to Mexico.

What a stupid fucking proposition.
What legal process could be used to deport someone from the U.S. just because they are what some assholes decides is a "liberal?"
Child-like posturing and nonsense.

30% of the US still supports Trump. Can we build a wall around those people?

How is selling government subsidized corn to Mexico at a price cheaper than they can produce non subsidized corn domestically in any way "free trade?"

It's time to quit subsidizing corn or anything else. Let the free market decide on prices. Maybe we'll quit using corn to make ethanol fuel at a net loss as well.

How does anyone get away with "heavily subsidizing" agriculture and dumping it under NAFTA?

The side effect of Trump is going to end up being the average Mexican and Canadian waking up to how crappy it's been in certain industries.

Maybe this thing does need to be strengthened.

Corn is actually Maize, I'm surprised at you liberals, but anyway food production is never going to be a loss leader in this modern Malthusian world. Besides less out country demand makes for more Ethanol production or cattle feed corn. Hmmm drive over to the next county for more steaks at lower prices?

Originally Posted by Dragonfly5

What part of Mexico buying corn from other countries do you not understand?

From the posted article: "...the government has begun negotiating with Argentina and Brazil to import corn from those nations tax-free."

The answer to your question "All of it, or would that be none of it?"

Originally Posted by OlGuy

Corn is actually Maize, I'm surprised at you liberals, but anyway food production is never going to be a loss leader in this modern Malthusian world. Besides less out country demand makes for more Ethanol production or cattle feed corn. Hmmm drive over to the next county for more steaks at lower prices?

Corn isn't good for cows, it makes them sick. Then we have to give them antibiotics because we feed them corn.

Originally Posted by Hollywood

What a stupid fucking proposition.
What legal process could be used to deport someone from the U.S. just because they are what some assholes decides is a "liberal?"
Child-like posturing and nonsense.

He is famous for it.