Trade With Japan
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Prime Minister Toshiki Kaifu has no doubt promised President Bush that Japan will open up its markets some more. It will most likely be another grand promise that never goes beyond 10% of the goal. The Japanese seem to be the economic equivalent of Saddam Hussein--they will tell you anything you want to hear, but then do whatever they feel like doing. The U.S. seems to be the tiger who has fallen asleep again.
But the tiger is stirring. The U.S. has tremendous economic capabilities and power. Our economy is still twice as large as Japan’s and U.S. citizens and companies receive more patents than any other country. From now on let’s judge our trading partners by their results, not their promises.
Besides, we have more to gain over time in free trade with Canada and Mexico than we do with Japan. It’s time for the tiger to awaken.
DAVID CHEREB
Costa Mesa
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