The Rise of Nearshoring

Article available at: http://www.economist.com/research/articlesBySubject/displayStory.cfm?story_id=5246203&subjectid=423172

© The Economist Newspaper Limited 2006.
All rights reserved.

and an extra, random article just for you to read
Popcorn Palace Economy: http://www.slate.com/id/2133612/

Group 3: Wan Ting/Tocks, Dorothy, Yan Sheng & Jean.
Commentors: groups 3 & 4.

Comments

I feel that the South Koreans are neither right nor wrong.

They have their own reasons to oppose against the WTO's aims. This is because the aims do not give them any advantage. But instead, the aim which is to lower trade barriers for agricultural imports will cause the South Korean farmers to suffer a loss if they were to sell the rice at a cheaper rate. They opposed because they wanted to protect their own needs and for their survival.

On the other hand, those South Koreans who opposed against the WTO might be going a little too far. The WTO is a world organisation and trying to suit the needs for a small group of people might not be taken into consideration.

I feel that this issue has brought the world's attention. It shows that there are always certain groups of people who will disagree with international plans.

Shu Hui-Group 1

(shucks. i feel like im crapping. it doesnt make sense)

Article 1

Article 1

AP

South Korean Activists Warn of WTO Protest
Sunday December 11, 11:20 pm ET
By Sylvia Hui, Associated Press Writer
South Korean Activists Warn They're Ready to Step Up Protests Against WTO

HONG KONG (AP) -- South Korean activists with a reputation for violent protests warned Monday that they will be "escalating the level of struggle" toward the end of the weeklong World Trade Organization summit in Hong Kong.

The Korean protesters -- known for entering into fierce battles with riot police and for dramatic gestures including committing suicide to highlight their causes -- said they would demonstrate legally and peacefully, according to a statement by the Korean Struggle Mission, which represents several activist groups.

But the statement warned that the activists, representing farmers and workers, were ready for "strong struggles" against police repression. Futher details were not provided about what the groups planned to do.

Hong Kong police have particularly mentioned the group of 1,500 Koreans protesters -- one of the largest clusters of anti-WTO activists to arrive in Hong Kong for the Dec. 13-18 summit -- in their discussions on how to deal with activists attending the WTO protests.

The Koreans oppose the WTO's aim to lower trade barriers for agricultural imports, saying such moves will flood the Korean market with cheap rice and bankrupt Korean farmers.

Joo Jei-jun, general coordinator of the Korean Struggle Mission, on Monday told reporters, "We will be escalating the level of struggle on Dec. 17.

"Any hindrance to our freedom of expression -- either by the Hong Kong government or the police -- will be dealt with in an affirmative manner," he added, without elaborating.

Yang Kyeong-kyoo, of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions, said the groups were still discussing protest tactics.

"But generally, we will mobilize as many people as we can because Dec. 17 is the last day to make decisions," he said.

Website: http://biz.yahoo.com/ap/051211/wto_korean_protesters.html?.v=1

Group members: Natalie, Li Bing, McRon, Kimberly, Shu Hui

[TASK 1] Tense Stand-off At Trade Summit

Mriaow!

For everyone to answer; provided by Econs dept.

In case you did not see the comment... [I keep forgetting it's there =p]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/4537890.stm

What are the benefits of Free Trade?
Why are some countries protecting their industries?
What do you think, is the objective of the trade summit?
How has it achieved its objective? If not, how has it failed?

Further readings:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_depth/business/2004/world_trade/default.stm