Mexican President Calderon warns Obama that reworking NAFTA will lead to more illegal immigration

[marmar]

I see the Friedmanite Koolaid has crossed the Rio Grande.



Mexico's Calderon Warns Obama Against Renegotiating Trade Deal

By Mark Drajem and Joshua Goodman

Nov. 22 (Bloomberg) -- Mexican President Felipe Calderon warned Barack Obama against trying to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement, saying restricting commerce would only encourage illegal Mexican emigration to the U.S.

``The day access is closed, workers will jump over whatever river or wall you put there,'' Calderon told business leaders today at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Lima, Peru, where leaders of 21 nations are meeting.

Calderon's comments reflect unease among U.S. trading partners over the likely economic policies of President-elect Obama, who has expressed reservations about Nafta and pending agreements with Colombia and South Korea. Leaders from the Asia- Pacific region also said they are concerned protectionism would exacerbate the global economic crisis.

``Obama's signals have not been very positive as far as free trade is concerned,'' Luc Gerard, president of Bogota-based private equity fund Tribeca Partners, said in an interview. ``There's definitely a concern.''

The leaders are meeting amid signs that the global economic slump is growing deeper. The worst credit crisis in seven decades spurred countries from China to the U.K. to boost spending or cut taxes in an effort to support growth and avoid a prolonged recession.

``One of the enduring lessons of the Great Depression is that global protectionism is a path to global economic ruin,'' President George W. Bush told the summit.

Bush complained that Congress hasn't approved pending trade deals, and Colombian President Alvaro Uribe wondered whether a free-trade accord with Canada would boost chances for his deal with the U.S. ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=aK5q.pInliu8&refer=home

[wellst0nev0ter]

1. Wasn't NAFTA What Led To The Increase In Immigration In The First Place?

All those family farms being made useless because agricorps were free to sell their cheap goods wherever they want?

[madrchsod]

8. yes it is...

[glowing]

2. He's just affraid of having to impose the regulations that the US and Canada impose

on companies in regards to the environment and worker's safety.. I know ours are going down the tube, but a lot of that is because Bush didn't find much need for working conditions or benefits... But normally, working conditions are supposed to be better in a Free Democratic world.. Mexico is worried about losing its stranglehold on the wealth within the upper realms of their govt.. its more of an Oligarchy than anything else... They would be affraid of unions taking hold and living conditions improving.

[Horse with no Name]

3. Correct me if I am wrong...but isn't Calderon a Bush stoogie?

I vaguely recall the people taking to the streets in Mexico protesting their illegal election that had the smell of Black Ops...

[EFerrari]

9. Yes, he's the oligarchy's and Bush's stooge and your memory is correct.

[lib2DaBone]

4. In other words..Calderone doesn't want to give up his gravy train...

.. it would be unique if someone in CONgress looked at what's good for AMERICA... not just Mexico. (what a concept)

[geckosfeet]

5. Is that some kind of threat? Personally, I would rather have illegal immigrants

working for businesses in the US than in Mexico. At least we can regulate the businesses and make sure working conditions and wages are adequate. We can also enact some kind of immigration policy for them.

[msongs]

6. official mexico policy = export people into the US - reduces population & gets rid of potential

troublemakers - Mexican citizens in the US are less of a threat to the government and wealthy people at home in Mexico. Its a win-win for the Calderon mob.

Msongs

[Gin]

7. I am sick and tired of Mexico dictating to the US.....first Fox does a

tour and tells us what to do...now this guy add his 2 cents....Hey Calderon...Fix your issues at home so these people don't have to come to the US for work. ( just my 2 cents)

[OhioChick]

14. Exactly. n/t

[High Plains]

15. Please, Mexico doesn not dictate to the US!

The two countries are neighbors. It's called diplomacy.

[EFerrari]

10. And for BushCo. They need each other. n/t

[asjr]

11. I thought Calderon was a planet in Star Wars.

[marmar]

16. That's Alderon.....

Princess Leia's 'hood.

[Ikonoklast]

12. We are Mexico's safety valve

Without us, there would be millions more unemployed, hungry, angry Mexican citizens still living in Mexico willing to make a drastic change in the Oligarchy.

Fuck Calderon and his threats. He seems to forget who would really suffer if push came to shove, and it would him and his ruling elite.

[tuckessee]

13. The United States is Mexico's lebensraum.

It is there for them to colonize at their will. Anglo speaking America is dead. Get used to it, it will be easier.