Trump versus Rwanda in trade battle over used clothes

[TexasTowelie]

KIGALI/ABIDJAN (Reuters) - Early last year, weeks after Donald Trump was sworn in as president, a little known American trade association filed a petition with the U.S. Trade Representative.

That seven-page letter set Africa in the cross-hairs of the new administration’s ‘America First’ trade ideology, pitting the world’s largest economy against tiny Rwanda over an unlikely U.S. export: cast-off clothes.

In March, the USTR warned Rwanda it would lose some benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), America’s flagship trade legislation for Africa, in 60 days after it increased tariffs on second-hand clothes to support its local garment industry.

“The president’s determinations underscore his commitment to enforcing our trade laws and ensuring fairness in our trade relationships,” Deputy U.S. Trade Representative C.J. Mahoney said, announcing the decision.

The 60-day grace period expires on May 28.

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-rwanda-usa-trade-insight/trump-versus-rwanda-in-trade-battle-over-used-clothes-idUSKCN1IP0WB?il=0

[Hortensis]

1. We're actually trying to stifle garment production in Rwanda?!!!

Tiny Rwanda's been "cheating" us and we're not going to put up with it any more?

“It delegitimizes so much of what we’ve worked for for so many years,” said Gail Strickler, who served as the top U.S. trade official on textiles until 2015. “I think it’s horrible. I think it’s sad. I think it’s pathetic and I think it’s obscene.”

Yes.

NOVEMBER 6, WE START FIXING THIS BY KICKING THE BASTARDS OUT OUT OF CONGRESS.

[madaboutharry]

2. The root of this is a political philosophy devoid of all empathy.

This is an example of a world view that embraces the attitude of "Why should I do anything for anyone else?" Let's face it, republicans are all about getting everything they can for themselves. They look at the tariffs on used clothing and it is viewed as Rwanda "taking advantage" rather than seeing a country struggling to recover from economic disaster following war and genocide.

If Trump had been president after World War II, there never would have been a Marshall Plan. Germany would have been left in ruin. We would have done nothing to rebuild Japan. Trump would have instead put in place policies of revenge.

[TexasTowelie]

3. Trump would have considered Germany, Italy and Japan

as conquered territories. Their resources (natural and human) would be exploited to the fullest extent possible.

[Danmel]

4. If Trump had been president during WW II

We'd have been an Axis power.