Business   

U.S. protectionism hurts trade

By Shastry V. Mallady

MADURAI, FEB. 21. The Bush administration has been engaged in protectionism and with regard to free trade the country (U.S.) is making `some terrible mistakes' by not practising what it preaches to the world, according to Peter H. Schuck, Fulbright Scholar and Professor of Law at Yale Law School, New York. He felt that the issues raised by countries like India on agriculture subsidies during the WTO talks at Cancun were reasonable but it was the U.S. administration that was going in the wrong direction.

Speaking to The Hindu, Prof. Schuck, who was here to deliver a lecture on `Pluralism and diversity in the U.S.', organised by the Society for Community Organisation Trust, said the issue of placing any restrictions on H-I B visas would not be in the interest of America. "Perhaps this is a Presidential election year in the U.S. and the Bush Government is cautious in meeting the domestic pressure. However, the foreign policy advisors should ensure that nothing comes in the way of sanctioning visas," he said.

Stating that the U.S. had to be less protective of its trade, he denounced the efforts at protectionism in sectors such as steel, agriculture and textiles. The emphasis of America had been on free markets and it could not go back on that now from what it preached to the rest of the world, Prof. Schuck said, adding, "I think this will be only a temporary phase".

On the immigration to the U.S., he said that America must not forget that immigrant groups from India and other Asian countries helped the economy to grow fast. Asian immigrants were doing extremely well and Indians played a major role. The Patels from Gujarat owned about 80 per cent of motels in the U.S. The restrictions on immigration should go away at least after the elections, he felt.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Business

News: Front Page | National | Tamil Nadu | Andhra Pradesh | Karnataka | Kerala | New Delhi | Other States | International | Opinion | Business | Sport | Miscellaneous |
Advts: Classifieds | Employment | Obituary | Updates: Breaking News |

Stories in this Section

• Floor price announced for IBP, CMC
• Forex reserves cross $107 b
• IPCL offer: Reliance to forego option
• U.S. protectionism hurts trade
• FCG India sees big rise in business
• Indian Bank's home loan fair
• SAIL may focus on spot sales
• Gold prices tumble
• Cognizant buys Ygyan Consulting
• SIB partners Wall Street Exchange

Copyright © 2004, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu