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EU and Japan create world's biggest free trade zone

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Re: EU and Japan create world's biggest free trade zone

#212
post #186

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The TPP had many other issues though. Examples include criminal penalties for breaking DRM or disclosing trade secrets, and establishing an international tribunal that allows corporations to sue for monetary damages from a government that passes a law which they feel is discriminatory. (I know the US has trade agreements like this already, but it's a new thing for Australia -- and unfortunately we are now part of the…

The point of that was to stop Malaysia and Singapore from pirating movies and software. I think there's something to be said about the correct distrust of MPAA. But at the same time, Malaysia and Singapore were clear pirate hubs that were harmful to any IP based economy.

> ... Singapore were clear pirate hubs that were harmful to any IP based economy.

That's an absurd and factually incorrect statement.

Re: EU and Japan create world's biggest free trade zone

#213

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I might be being a bit of a snob, but in the context of a cheese-related discussion kraft singles don't really rate mention.

Are you even allowed to call them cheese? I thought they had to be labeled as a processed milk product or something.

They’re called “process cheese product”

Re: EU and Japan create world's biggest free trade zone

#214

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've honestly only seen/owned at best a handful of products made in the UK. (I look at the country of origin of almost everything I buy, and I generally prefer EU-made things over Chinese-made things). Things that come to mind: - Lorlin switches, and there is (probably "used to be") a Möller plant in the UK. - A hammer made by Thorex. Good concept, poor quality. - A saw made by Thomas Flinn. Poor steel. - Fountain pe…

There's an industrial estate almost literally a stones throw from my window (here in the UK) that makes all kinds of things, especially Aero related.

Look again in a year ;)

Re: EU and Japan create world's biggest free trade zone

#215
post #9

Are there any downsides to this that were perhaps left out of the article?

The downside of free trade agreements is well studied: while overall it's a net positive for the economies involved, there are some individual losers.

Biggest loser will be the domestic Japanese Camembert industry[1], as according to a Reddit poster[2] Japan only has 4 cheeses (Sandwich cheese, cheese that melts (とろけるチーズ), parmesan cheese (for pasta) and camembert).

But that could turn around as consumers discover new cheeses and then incorporate cheese into their diet more.

One thing I recall about Japan, specifically Tokyo, was how many French patisseries there were, so it would seem to me there's a huge untapped market for French Cheese and Wine to accompany.

[1] https://whatjapanthinks.com/2017/10/05/camembert-is-japans-f...

[2] https://www.reddit.com/r/japan/comments/1xwk51/is_it_true_th...

Re: EU and Japan create world's biggest free trade zone

#216

Japan has avoided the madness of tariffs and trade wars that has affected the west recently. Instead they have been quietly negotiating trade deals with everyone and generally getting along. Good on them! Also it includes cheese, which will make westerners in Japan very happy.

Canada has been doing the same [0]. A lot of effort does end up getting spent on managing relations with the U.S. which overshadows achievements elsewhere.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Free_trade_agreements_of_Canad...

Re: EU and Japan create world's biggest free trade zone

#217
post #136

"For the first time, the trade agreement includes countries' Paris climate deal commitments." This is a brilliant answer to the tragedy of the commons. Often times people ask why they should make great efforts to be more environmentally friendly when other groups are not. This creates multiparty incentives attached to real economic benefits to keep their word on climate change. I hope The US, China, and Russia all en…

Hardly. The countries already made these non binding commitments, there is still no penalty for breaking them, and they bear no resemblance to what would be required to stay below 1.5C or 2C (the supposed headline achievement of Paris).

They were not negotiated on either - they are just what each country has said it would do.

Re: EU and Japan create world's biggest free trade zone

#218
post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I might be being a bit of a snob, but in the context of a cheese-related discussion kraft singles don't really rate mention.

Say what you will about Kraft singles, but they melt like nothing else. Kraft doesn't belong everywhere, but it has foodie applications. [0] [0] - https://www.seriouseats.com/2016/07/whats-really-in-american...

Ever tried to grill raclette, vacherinn, gruyère, camembert, reblochon etc? For a couple of raw milk cheeses that are either dedicated to eat grilled/melt or "cold". Anything like Kraft singles is a joke

Re: EU and Japan create world's biggest free trade zone

#219
post #136

"For the first time, the trade agreement includes countries' Paris climate deal commitments." This is a brilliant answer to the tragedy of the commons. Often times people ask why they should make great efforts to be more environmentally friendly when other groups are not. This creates multiparty incentives attached to real economic benefits to keep their word on climate change. I hope The US, China, and Russia all en…

The TPP would have folded in a bunch of environmental protection rules, but the US blew it up. It's debatable how good these protections would have been, but they were not nothing. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans-Pacific_Partnership#Envi...

It's not quite accurate to say the US "blew it up." The other countries just signed TPP-11 without the US, and the agreement went into effect on December 30, 2018

Re: EU and Japan create world's biggest free trade zone

#220
post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I might be being a bit of a snob, but in the context of a cheese-related discussion kraft singles don't really rate mention.

Say what you will about Kraft singles, but they melt like nothing else. Kraft doesn't belong everywhere, but it has foodie applications. [0] [0] - https://www.seriouseats.com/2016/07/whats-really-in-american...

Plenty of cheeses melt better than those. A whole load of French cheeses are pretty much half melted already!
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