CompuServe Messages

Marcus, the fundamental question is whether MITI, and Japanese industry in general, is engaged in unfair business practices. Judging just from the aspect of our agricultral policy, no. The same applies to the agricultral policies of the EC countries. Perhaps we should look at the transportation sectors, or banking, etc. The list is almost endless. Intervention by the government in the private sector is all to common and market distortions are the result. Sure, we can try to paint the Japanese gultier than we are, but it just ain't so (to use the vernacular). All sides are guilty, from their rice, or chip, policy to our agricultural policies. Ever wonder how cheap milk products would be without price supports? Or how about why we need to cut special deals with the Soviet Union to have them buy our grain? I don't want to even get into the situation with respect to information services. IMAO, free trade is still a myth looking for a place to happen. You have your response <grin>. I'm looking forward to mine <running and ducking!>. Brian J. Bartlett