Trading Partners

Chinese Imports Since 1996 

All figures in Billions of $. Japan is one of our major trade partners. Imports from Japan as of 2005-09-01: 10853.5

But did you know?? Mexico as of 2005-09-01 14600.3 Thanks to NAFTA, theres more than cheap immigrant labor coming from south of the border.

Did you know? Chinese imports have grown over 2000% since 1990 and over 300% in the last five years.

1990-01-01 1186.1
1995-01-01 3450.6
2000-01-01 6902.1
2005-09-01 23306.7

But did you know?? Canada as of 2005-09-01 25756.8 The trade deficit, blame it on Canada, er I mean NAFTA.

But, did you know? Starting in 2006, very quietly, the last phase of NAFTA kicks in. Services, goods & capital have already been addressed, this phase involves the free movement of labor inputs.

Bottom line, any citizen of the US, Canada or Mexico posessing a letter of intent from an employer in any of the three countries, can move to and live in that country, no quotas are involved. This includes their immediate and extended family members as well, reflect on that for a moment.

There is an upside and a downside to this proposition. For now, think about the health, education and welfare system ramifications, not to mention the labor market wage aspect. Minimum wages need to be increased to negate what I will call the "maquiladora" effect. Any other thoughts?