Obama gets Humiliated in Korea
Obama gets Humiliated in Korea
Date: Thursday, November 26, 2009 1:19 AM
<<<<< JOB DESTRUCTION NEWSLETTER No. 2080 -- 11/25/2009 >>>>>
My newest blog is at:
http://blog.vdare.com/archives/2009/11/26/obama-gets-nuked-in-korea/
The text is below, but the web version is the way to go. Your choice.
CAUTION: Don't read this while chewing turkey bones. Have a Happy
Thanksgiving!
Not included in the blog is a Saturday Night Live clip of Obama's China visit.
It's a hoot.
http://www.nbc.com/saturday-night-live/video/clips/china-cold-open/1178451/
LINKS:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qLbbcwAJdI4
Video: President Obama & President Lee Joint Press Conference
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/34031492#34031492
Video:MSNBC video of Joint Press Conference
http://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/Press-Release/current_press_release/ft900.pdf
Reference: U.S. Census Bureau U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN GOODS AND SERVICES, September 2009
Text of these articles included below:
http://blog.vdare.com/archives/2009/11/26/obama-gets-nuked-in-korea/
Obama Gets Humiliated In Korea
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-barack-obama-and-president-lee-myung-bak-republic-korea-joint-pre
Transcript: November 19, 2009, Remarks by President Barack Obama and President
Lee Myung-Bak of Republic of Korea in Joint Press Conference
http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/obamas-botched-bow/blog-191011/
Obama's botched bow
http://import-export.suite101.com/article.cfm/us_global_trade_debt_by_country
US Global Trade Debt by Country
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/21/south-korea-nixes-trade-renegotiation/
South Korea nixes trade renegotiation
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,662822,00.html
Obama's Nice Guy Act Gets Him Nowhere on the World Stage
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/11/123_55866.html
Why Are American Cars Unpopular Here?
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http://blog.vdare.com/archives/2009/11/26/obama-gets-nuked-in-korea/
Obama Gets Humiliated In Korea
On November 19, 2009 President Obama and President Lee Myung-Bak of the
Republic of Korea held a joint press conference. You can see the video of the
conference on youtube and read the official transcript here.
Obama had plenty of embarrassments on his Asia tour. In Japan, Obama took a
deep bow to their emperor and got an imperial snub when the emperor didn t
reciprocate. Ouch!
His visit to China was almost as humiliating. About the only thing that was
accomplished is that China s leader Hu Jintao showed Obama who the boss man
was.
Good thing Korea was on the last leg of Obama s trip because things didn t get
any better. Lucky for Obama that most people (except me!) didn t notice how
bad he got nuked during a joint press conference (for the good stuff go to
about the 16 minute mark on the video).
The following is a chronological analysis of the last part of the press
conference.
Obama and Lee were asked a question about the free trade agreement that Bush
tried and failed to get with Korea.
And both of you mentioned the result of your talks, but what kind of
things did you discuss regarding the KORUS FTA?
It almost seemed as if Lee knew that a setup was coming because he
relinquished the question to Obama. Perhaps Lee was smart enough to know that
if he talked second it would allow him to have the last word on the subject
because the press conference was nearing its time limit. Julianna Goldman
handed the hot potato to Lee, and Lee quickly passed it to Obama.
PRESIDENT LEE: And as for the KORUS FTA, I m sure President Obama will be
making a comment, so I ll just listen.
Obama had no choice but to take the question so he did by saying "we" (does
that mean all of the U.S. or just the elites who rule our country) are
committed to moving the free trade agreement forward. Then Obama stepped into
an even bigger quicksand pit. After rambling for quite awhile about our
inability to do anything about Iran, Obama addressed the trade
question:
PRESIDENT OBAMA: With respect to the United States, I think it s important
to understand -- and I shared this with President Lee -- that American
companies and workers are very confident in our ability to compete and we
recognize that there s not only a economic but also a strategy interest in
expanding our ties to South Korea. There is obviously also a concern within
the United States around the incredible trade imbalances that have grown over
the last several decades. Those imbalances are not as prominent with Korea,
but there has been a tendency I think to lump all of Asia together when
Congress looks at trade agreements and says it appears as if this is one-way
street.
So, in Obama s opinion, Korea is not part of the problem when it comes to
trade imbalances in Asia. He lets Lee totally off the hook by claiming that
Korea is an example of an Asian nation that doesn t have one sided trade
policies with the U.S.
Obama definitely didn t do his homework before coming to Asia. He doesn t seem
to grasp the huge problem were are having with trade deficits and doesn t seem
to know basic facts. Statistics indicate that contrary to Obama s opinion,
trade with Korea is significant and very one sided. Compared to all countries
contributing to the U.S. Deficit, South Korea is #13. Taiwan is next followed
by the United Kingdom. The table below shows the deficit of several Asian
nations in millions of dollars for
2009 according to Part B Exhibit 14 at the census bureau website:
U.S. Trade Deficit for 2009 (millions of dollars)
* China -165,801
* Japan -30,304
* Korea -8,817
* Taiwan -7,640
How is this for a trade imbalance? South Korea exported 600,000 cars to the
U.S. while we exported 7,000 cars to Korea.
The nuclear bomb comes from Julianna Goldman of the Bloomberg News. She times
the delivery to perfection by asking two questions -- the first one was a
rather generic question to Obama about nuclear weapons in Iran, followed by
the haymaker on free trade for Lee. The question was for Lee but it was a not-
so-subtle way of showing the world how ignorant Obama was concerning Korean
trade issues.
I think that we ve got a question. Julianna.
Q Thank you, Mr. President, President Lee. President Obama, it
appears that Iran has rejected the international offer on its nuclear problem.
What are the severe consequences that you threaten, and when will we see them?
And for President Lee, are you willing to open up your market to U.S.
automobiles to get the Korean free trade agreement moving again?
It s worth noting that Goldman s question about US made autos comes right
after Obama blathered about how fair our trade is Korea. Lee will have to
explain why it s fair for Korea to export their cars to the U.S.
while severely restricting U.S. car sells in Korea. His job was made much
easier when Obama said that there were no imbalances -- all Lee had to do was
agree!
PRESIDENT LEE: For me, Korea and the United States, the facts are clear,
trade imbalances between our two countries is not great. I think it is safe
to say that we have almost a balanced account between Korea and the United
States. Of course, when Korea was a closed economy with protectionist
measures, there were some trade imbalances. But compared to countries like
China and Japan, the trade imbalances between our two countries is very
miniscule.
So, Lee said that as far as he is concerned, trade between Korea and the U.S.
is A-OK. In effect he said that Korea isn t about to allow us to sell our cars
there, especially since we are so willing to allow Korea to export as many
Hyundais and Kias as they can make. Lee told Obama that before the U.S. talks
to him about unfair trade with Korea we better work on our imbalances with
China and Japan first -- which is an interesting way of laughing Obama off,
especially since about all China and Japan gave Obama in terms of concessions
was a pat on the head.
That first youtube video is the official Whitehouse version. It doesn t show
Obama in the picture when Lee is making his statement. MSNBC has their own
video which gives a slightly different perspective of the two men.
Although it pans away from Obama when Lee begins talking, you can see both of
them as Lee continues. Lee seems to be having a jovial good time slapping
Obama around. Obama gives Lee the cold stare and looks like he wants to reach
over the podiums to strangle Lee. It s good Obama showed some displeasure with
Lee but it came way too late to salvage the situation.
For a good summary and different perspective of Obama s Asian tour read
Germany s Spiegel Magazine: "Obama s Nice Guy Act Gets Him Nowhere on the
World Stage". The Korea Times weighs in with an article called: "Why Are
American Cars Unpopular Here?".
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/remarks-president-barack-obama-and-president-lee-myung-bak-republic-korea-joint-pre
The White House
Office of the Press Secretary
For Immediate Release
November 19, 2009
Remarks by President Barack Obama and President Lee Myung-Bak of Republic of
Korea in Joint Press Conference Blue House, Seoul, South Korea
12:35 P.M. KST
PRESIDENT LEE: (As translated.) We have beautiful weather today. I know
that yesterday we had sub-zero cold. And President Obama brought with him
very nice weather. On behalf of the people of the Republic of Korea, I wish
to extend our warmest welcome and greetings to President Obama and his
delegation.
We know how much President Obama appreciates and understands the value of
Korean and Asian cultures. I believe that President Obama's global
leadership, a leadership that is based on mutual respect and mutual goals,
will help usher in an era of hope and renewal to the United States and better
serve peace and prosperity throughout the world.
Having held three summit meetings with him, and having met many times in
various multilateral settings over the past 10 months, I think I can say that
we have indeed become very close friends. In particular, I think our
discussions today have been particularly in depth and very fruitful, very
honest talks. The relationship between our two countries is excellent and
stands stronger than ever. President Obama and I believe that it can become
even stronger. So we will continue to consult on specific ways to move our
relationship forward.
President Obama and I reaffirmed the solid ROK-U.S. defense posture, including
the extended deterrence. We also agreed to further develop our partnership so
that it can become an example of what a strategic alliance of the 21st century
should be by faithfully implementing the joint vision for the alliance adopted
at our last meeting in June.
As part of these efforts, we agreed to have our foreign and defense ministers
to meet and discuss specific ways to develop our alliance to the future
sometime next year, which marks the 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the
Korean War.
President Obama and I expressed our shared satisfaction that Korea and the
United States are working closely together with regards to our approach vis-`-
vis North Korea and the nuclear issue. We also reaffirmed our commitment to
the complete and verifiable denuclearization of North Korea through the six-
party talks. We fully share the view that the North Korean nuclear issue
requires a definite and comprehensive resolution, as I described in our grand
bargain, and agreed to closely consult on how to elaborate and implement this
approach.
It is my hope that North Korea would accept our proposal so that we can usher
in a new era in which North Korea can be assured of its security and its
people can enjoy real improvements in their quality of life. We agreed to
work closely together with the other countries in the six-party process to
bring North Korea back to the six-party talks at an early date, and make sure
that North Korea takes substantive measures towards its denuclearization.
Moreover, we noted our shared concern for North Korean humanitarian issues and
agreed to work together to bring improvements in this area.
Meanwhile President Obama and I reaffirmed the economic and strategic
importance of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement. We agreed to redouble our
efforts to move the agreement forward.
Noting with satisfaction the achievements of the G20 summit meeting in
Pittsburgh, President Obama and I agreed to continue cooperating on
implementing a framework for ensuring a strong sustainable and balanced
growth. We also agreed to work together to ensure the success of next
November's G20 summit to be held here in Korea.
At the same time, we share the view that such global challenges as climate
change, green growth, nonproliferation, and counterterrorism requires a
collective response.
In particular I would like to commend President Obama's endeavor towards a
world without nuclear weapons, and in this respect the Republic of Korea
intends to participate in and do its part to ensure the success of next
April's nuclear security summit in Washington, D.C.
I am very pleased that we were able to have candid discussions on important
issues that confront us, and I'm happy that we produced fruitful outcomes.
I also wish to once again congratulate President Obama on his very successful
trip to Asia. And let me once again join the Korean people in expressing to
President Obama and his delegation our warmest sentiments of friendship.
Thank you.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, it's a great honor to be making my first trip to the
Republic of Korea as President of the United States. I want to thank my good
friend, President Lee, and the Korean people, for their extraordinary
hospitality. And I have to say that the arrival ceremony for our state visit
was as spectacular as any that we've seen.
I was privileged to host President Lee in Washington in June. As he
mentioned, we've seen each other in many multilateral forums, as well, and
we've developed a strong working relationship and friendship. And it's a
great pleasure to visit this beautiful city.
The Republic of Korea is a close and valued friend and ally of the United
States. The strong bonds between our people were forged in the battles of the
Korean War nearly 60 years ago. Our alliance, which is grounded in shared
interests and values, has provided peace and security on this peninsula and in
the region for many decades. And I'm pleased to say that our alliance has
never been stronger than it is today.
The 60th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War presents an important
opportunity to honor the service of our veterans, to reflect on the principles
for which they fought, and to move forward in adapting our alliance to meet
the challenges of the 21st century. As part of this process, we agreed that
Secretaries Clinton and Gates will meet with their Korean counterparts next
year to work on realizing our shared vision for the alliance going forward.
The Republic of Korea has made extraordinary progress in the six decades since
the Korean War. Evidence of that progress can be seen in Korea's strong
democracy, its vibrant economy, but it can also be seen in Korea's
increasingly prominent role in global affairs. Indeed, in just one
generation, the Republic of Korea has gone from a recipient of aid to a donor
nation and -- under the leadership of President Lee, a leader within the G20.
The United States has been proud to stand as a friend and ally of the
Korean people throughout this period. And later today, I'll also visit
some of our servicemen and women, who represent America's unwavering
commitment to the security of this country. In going forward, I know that our
two nations can strengthen our cooperation on a range of critical issues,
including several that we discussed today.
On North Korea, our governments have maintained extraordinarily close
cooperation, and President Lee and I are in full agreement on our common
approach going forward. I reaffirmed my commitment to continue working
together in the six-party process to achieve a definitive and comprehensive
resolution of the nuclear issue. As a part of that effort, we will be sending
Ambassador Bosworth to North Korea on December 8th to engage in direct talks
with the North Koreans.
Our message is clear: If North Korea is prepared to take concrete and
irreversible steps to fulfill its obligations and eliminate its nuclear
weapons program, the United States will support economic assistance and help
promote its full integration into the community of nations. That opportunity
and respect will not come with threats -- North Korea must live up to its
obligations.
The Republic of Korea is also, obviously, a close trading partner of the
United States, and the relationship between our nations advance our common
prosperity. To strengthen those ties, President Lee and I discussed the U.S.-
Korea free trade agreement, which holds out the promise of serving our mutual
interests. And together, we're committed to working together to move the
agreement forward.
I also thanked President Lee for his leadership at the G20, as we continue our
efforts to transition from rescuing the global economy to promoting balanced
and sustainable growth. In that effort, Korea will play a critical role as a
host for the G20 next year.
We also discussed the importance of promoting security and stability in
Afghanistan and Pakistan, and I welcomed President Lee's decision to establish
a Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. This important contribution
will help support the strengthening of Afghan capacity, which is essential to
achieving our goals in Afghanistan.
And finally, we agreed to coordinate our efforts to clean energy and climate
change. I told President Lee that Korea's recent announcement of an ambitious
target for 2020 is a model for emerging economies. And building on the
progress that we made at APEC and in Beijing, I will continue to work closely
with President Lee to help pave the way for a successful outcome in Copenhagen
next month.
Once again, I want to thank President Lee and the Korean people for their warm
hospitality. I look forward to working with you, Mr. President, to strengthen
a relationship that does so much to advance the mutual interests of our
citizens. And as a fan of Korean culture and Korean barbecue, I'm also very
much looking forward to lunch that we'll be having in a few minutes. So thank
you very much. Kamsa hamnida.
Q First of all, welcome to Korea, Mr. President. A question going out
to President Lee regarding the North Korea nuclear issue. Do you envisage any
timeline between Korea and the United States in order to resolve the North
Korean nuclear issue? Do you have any deadlines about it? And also regarding
the grand bargain proposal that you proposed to North Korea, how do you think
that the North Koreans will react to your grand bargain proposal? And both of
you mentioned the result of your talks, but what kind of things did you
discuss regarding the KORUS FTA?
A question going out to President Obama on the KORUS FTA -- the KORUS FTA is
regarded here within Korea as something that will further strengthen bilateral
relationship between Korea and the United States, and many Korean people are
hopeful or hoping for the early ratification of the KORUS FTA.
And I would just like to ask, Mr. President, of your strategic vision
regarding the KORUS FTA?
And as for the grand bargain proposal, I would just like to ask you how much
do you intend to cooperate with the South Koreans in implementing this?
PRESIDENT LEE: I think we promised to ask one question to one leader, but I
think you're asking many questions all at once. First of all, on North Korea
nuclear issue and convincing North Korea to give up their nuclear weapons
program, it is not a simple matter. We know that for sure. For the last 20
years or so, we've been dealing with the North Koreans and negotiating with
the North Koreans. We would take one step forward and two steps back, and
that has taken 20 years, and still we do not have a full resolvement of this
issue.
Now, with President Obama and the White House, we were successful in passing
and adopting a U.N. Security Council resolution. International cooperation is
perfect in my opinion in terms of trying to resolve this issue peacefully, and
I think we are entering into a new chapter in bringing this issue to an end.
I do not put any deadline to resolving this North Korean nuclear issue. Of
course we would want to resolve this issue as soon as possible because that is
critical for ensuring peace and stability of the region and the world.
And so this is why I proposed a grand bargain proposal.
And what's important is to really know whether North Korea has genuine intent
to give up fully and verifiably their nuclear weapons program. We must find
out the intention of the North Koreans, and as soon as we find out, the better
it is. And the negotiations to convince North Korea to resolve their nuclear
weapons issue, like I said, it is not going to be easy, but I believe it is
possible that we can resolve this issue peacefully. So together with President
Obama and the international community, we will work to resolve this issue.
About the grand bargain, the North Koreans haven't yet conveyed what they
thought of the grand bargain, but in order for the North Koreans to ensure
their stability, to improve the lives of the North Korean population, to have
economic prosperity -- in short, for a better future the North Koreans
-- it is my wish that the North Koreans will adopt the grand bargain proposal.
And as for the KORUS FTA, I'm sure President Obama will be making a comment,
so I'll just listen.
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Well, first of all, with respect to North Korea, there's
going to be extraordinarily close coordination between our two countries, as
there has been for many years.
The thing I want to emphasize is that President Lee and I both agree on the
need to break the pattern that has existed in the past in which North Korea
behaves in a provocative fashion; it then is willing to return to talks; it
talks for a while and then leaves the talks seeking further concessions, and
there's never actually any progress on the core issues.
I think President Lee is exactly right, and my administration is taking the
same approach, which is the door is open to resolving these issues peacefully,
for North Korea to see over time the reduction of sanctions and its increasing
integration into the international community -- something that will be good
for its people -- but it will only happen if North Korea is taking serious
steps around the nuclear issue. And we will not distracted by a whole host of
other side items that end up generating a lot of meetings but not concrete
action.
Now, with respect to the free trade agreement, I am a strong believer that
both countries can benefit from expanding our trade ties. And so I have told
President Lee and his team that I am committed to seeing the two countries
work together to move this agreement forward. There are still issues that are
being discussed and worked on and we have put our teams in place to make sure
that we are covering all the issues that might be a barrier to final
ratification of the agreement.
With respect to the United States, I think it's important to understand -- and
I shared this with President Lee -- that American companies and workers are
very confident in our ability to compete and we recognize that there's not
only a economic but also a strategy interest in expanding our ties to South
Korea. There is obviously also a concern within the United States around the
incredible trade imbalances that have grown over the last several decades.
Those imbalances are not as prominent with Korea, but there has been a
tendency I think to lump all of Asia together when Congress looks at trade
agreements and says it appears as if this is one-way street.
And one of my goals is to make sure that as we work through these issues, that
the American people, American businesses, American workers recognize that we
have to look at each agreement and each country on its own merits, and make
sure that we can create the kind of win-win situation that I know President
Lee is interested in seeing, as well.
I think that we've got a question. Julianna.
Q Thank you, Mr. President, President Lee. President Obama, it appears
that Iran has rejected the international offer on its nuclear problem.
What are the severe consequences that you threaten, and when will we see them?
And for President Lee, are you willing to open up your market to U.S.
automobiles to get the Korean free trade agreement moving again?
PRESIDENT OBAMA: With respect to Iran, at the beginning of my administration
we put in place a policy that we have executed as drawn up over the last
several months. What we said was that we would take a new approach and say to
Iran that we are willing to engage them directly; that we would organize the
international community around a series of proposals that would permit Iran to
show its intentions to give up any nuclear weapon programs and pursue peaceful
nuclear energy under the framework of a nonproliferation regime; that even as
we were organizing the international community to put forward a fair deal to
the Iranians, that we would also move on a dual track and that we weren't
going to duplicate what has happened with North Korea in which talks just
continue forever without any actual resolution to the issue -- so that we
indicated that our offer would be on the table for a certain period of time,
and that when that time ran out, we would look at other approaches that would
increase pressure on Iran to give up its nuclear weapons program.
Since that time, through the auspices of the International Atomic Energy
Agency, as well as the P5-plus-1, we put forward such a proposal, one in which
low-enriched uranium could be removed from Iran, processed outside of Iran,
returned to them in a way that couldn't be weaponized and used for research
purposes.
The fairness of the deal I think is confirmed by the fact that Russia, China,
the other members of the P5-plus-1, as well as Mohamed ElBaredei, the
Secretary General of the IAEA, all confirmed that this was a smart, creative
proposal that could lead to a path in which Iran was no longer in breach of
its international agreements, and that Iran should accept them.
Iran has taken weeks now and has not shown its willingness to say yes to this
proposal. And I have not seen the report that you're referring to today, but
we've seen indications that, whether it's for internal political reasons or
because they are stuck in some of their own rhetoric, they have been unable to
get to yes.
And so as a consequence, we have begun discussions with our international
partners about the importance of having consequences; that the dual-track
approach requires Iran to get a clear message that when it fails to take
advantage of these opportunities, that in fact it is not making itself more
secure, it's making itself less secure. And our expectation is, is that over
the next several weeks we will be developing a package of potential steps that
we could take that will indicate our seriousness to Iran.
I continue to hold out the prospect that they may decide to walk through this
door. I hope they do. But what I'm pleased about is the extraordinary
international unity that we've seen. If you think at the beginning of the
year how disjointed international efforts were and how uneven perceptions were
about Iran's nuclear program and where we are today, I think it's an
indication that we've taken the right approach.
PRESIDENT LEE: With regards to the automobile, in principle I believe in free
trade and I believe that the international community must strengthen free
trade. The last two decades or so I think free trade and the movement of
goods and services was the driving force behind the development and economic
prosperity that we enjoy today.
But at the same time, I also believe that the global economy should grow in a
more sustained and balanced way, as well. If there are any imbalances between
two economies, it should be corrected. And this is a topic and an agenda that
is being discussed within the G20 forum, and this is something that President
Obama and I talked about, as well.
For me, Korea and the United States, the facts are clear, trade imbalances
between our two countries is not great. I think it is safe to say that we
have almost a balanced account between Korea and the United States. Of
course, when Korea was a closed economy with protectionist measures, there
were some trade imbalances. But compared to countries like China and Japan,
the trade imbalances between our two countries is very miniscule.
And President Obama, as he mentioned in his brief remarks just now, he said
that all different economies should be judged on their own merits, and free
trade agreements is not an exception. And he and I had very candid and frank
discussions and forward-looking discussions between us today during the
meeting on how to move the KORUS FTA forward. And I very much appreciate
President Obama for engaging in such discussions.
In the United States I think there is a misperception that KORUS FTA, once it
is passed, that it is somehow going to only benefit Korea and be detrimental
to American consumers, which is not true. Of course there are economic
perspectives to take into consideration, but there are -- a much bigger
strategic perspective to this. And I believe overall this is beneficial for
both Korea and the United States.
Of course each industry will be impacted differently. Here in Korea the
service sector, the agricultural sector, they are completely against the
passage of the KORUS FTA because they lag far behind their American
counterparts. But for us, the Korean government, we view the KORUS FTA in a
more comprehensive matter. Overall it is beneficial for us in the long term.
If there is any problems in the automobile sector, like you asked, then we are
ready to resolve this issue. There are other automobile manufacturers, like
in the Europeans -- as we all know, they produce a tremendous number of
automobiles, and we have a free trade agreement with the 27-member European
Union, and we have an agreement which has been signed. And we are engaging
more and more with our European partners.
And so I think we should have more opportunities to talk about these issues
with each other. And on this issue, President Obama and I talked about in
detail again how to move forward this agreement. I believe that, again, this
is beneficial for both Korea and the United States.
Thank you. We will be now concluding the joint press availability between
Korea and the U.S.
END
1:00 P.M. KST
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http://www.sodahead.com/united-states/obamas-botched-bow/blog-191011/
Obama's botched bow
Thomas Lifson
Bad
enough that Obama bowed down to another head of state yesterday. Even worse
that he did not bother to learn how one bows in Japan, and just winged it.
I agree with Scott Johnson, Steve Gilbert, Andrew Malcom, and many others that
the President of the United States should not be bowing before any head of
state. But unlike these astute observers, I actually know a little something
about the art of the bow in Japan, having lived in Japan four different times
on a resident visa, taught East Asian Studies at Harvard, and counseled many
hundreds of American, European, Middle Eastern, and Australasian executives on
how to work negotiate and with the Japanese -- including teaching them the
right way to bow.
Obama's bow (below) violates a fundamental precept: NO TOUCHING while bowing.
Obama's botched bow
Here is one of many websites that illustrates how to bow in Japan.
The one thing that virtually everyone who teaches bowing etiquette stresses is
under no circumstance try to combine a bow with a handshake.
The
Emperor appears to smile, which is something polite Japanese are taught to do
when embarrassed. Unlike just about everyone who comes into the Emperor's
presence, Obama obviously received no instruction on Imperial etiquette.
(Note: The Japanese take their monarch and etiquette in general about 100
times more seriously than do the British.)
That's
fine with me. I wouldn't like our president to receive such instructions from
a foreign entity. But he obviously did not indicate to any of the American
embassy staff, nor to any aides familiar with Japan that he intended to bow,
and bow deeply. Anyone with about two days' familiarity with Japan knows about
bowing. The average person in Japan bows dozens of times a day. You see it
everywhere.
Another
fundamental precept of the ordinary bow: it must be reciprocated. To do
otherwise is a grave insult. Yet, we see in this short video clip that the
Emperor did not even nod his head. To be honest, I am not sure the Emperor is
ever supposed to bow back to anyone. He is, after all, according to Shinto, a
god.
I suspect the poor
Emperor was so shocked by the faux pas that he just pretended it didn't
happen. That is one way Japanese people deal with breaches of etiquette,
especially from the powerful who are also ignorant. But the end resilt is that
Obama has been snubbed royally. Imperially, in fact.
All
in all, a disgrace. The only redeeming feature is that at least he did not bow
his head and bend his knee, as he did wioth the Saudi monarch.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://import-export.suite101.com/article.cfm/us_global_trade_debt_by_country
US Global Trade Debt by Country
2007 American Deficit Statistics for Top Import & Export Partners
) Daniel Workman
Feb 1, 2008
Lower U.S. Dollar in 2008?, www.just-stuart.com/contact (105247) China
generated the largest portion of United States' trade deficit while Mexico,
Nigeria and France accounted for last year's fastest growing trade imbalance.
America s trade deficit with China last year was some US$260 billion, an 11.4%
increase over 2006 and up 60% in just three years.
Japan generated $83 billion in U.S. global debt in 2007, a 6% decline from
2006 and an 11% gain from 2004. Both China and Japan buy about $63 billion in
American imports annually. However, Chinese exports to America more than
double those from Japan.
Mexico and Canada were responsible for the third and fourth highest portions
of America s trade deficit in 2007: $74 billion and $65 billion respectively.
America s deficit with Mexico grew 15.4% last year and 64.4% over the past
three years. In contrast, America s negative trade balance with Canada shrank
by over 10% in 2007.
Countries Contributing the Most to U.S. Trade Deficit
The list below shows America s deficit amounts for its top 15 trading
partners.
1. China -- US$259.1 billion (up 11.4% from 2006, up 59.9% from 2004)
2. Japan -- $83.1 billion (down 6.1%, up 10.5%)
3. Mexico -- $74 billion (up 15.4%, up 64.4%)
4. Canada -- $65 billion (down 10.7%, down 1%)
5. Germany -- $44.5 billion (down 6.9%, down 2.8%)
6. Nigeria -- $28.9 billion (up 12.5%, up 97.3%)
7. Venezuela -- $28.4 billion (up 0.6%, up 40.4%)
8. Saudi Arabia -- $24.5 billion (up 1.8%, up 57.3%)
9. Ireland -- $21.6 billion (up 7.5%, up 12.5%)
10. Italy -- $20.9 billion (up 3.7%, up 20.4%)
11. Malaysia -- $20.8 billion (down 13.2%, up 20.4%)
12. France -- $14.5 billion (up 12.5%, down 36.9%)
13. South Korea -- $13.6 billion (up 2.5%, down 31.5%)
14. Taiwan -- $12.7 billion (down 16.7%, down 1.9%)
15. United Kingdom -- $6.7 billion (down 16.8%, down 36%).
Top Chinese exports to America are computers, accessories, parts and
miscellaneous household goods. Japan s leading exports to the U.S. are
passenger cars.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2009/nov/21/south-korea-nixes-trade-renegotiation/
Saturday, November 21, 2009
South Korea nixes trade renegotiation
ASSOCIATED PRESS
SEOUL (AP) | South Korea's foreign minister Friday ruled out additional
negotiations with the United States over a free-trade agreement, a day after
the presidents of the two countries vowed cooperation to push the stalled deal
forward.
The ambitious accord, signed more than two years ago, has languished in
political limbo as U.S. officials insist it does not adequately address a wide
gap in auto trade between the two countries that favors South Korea.
South Korean President Lee Myung-bak said Thursday at a press conference with
President Obama that his government was willing to discuss the auto issue with
Washington.
"If we have an auto problem with the U.S., we should have an opportunity to
talk again and understand each other," Mr. Lee said. It was not clear whether
that included a willingness to renegotiate.
But Foreign Minister Yu Myung-hwan, speaking in parliament Friday, said Mr.
Lee's comments did not mean "renegotiation or additional negotiations."
South Korean officials have consistently ruled out a formal reopening of the
deal that was signed in June 2007, well before Mr. Lee and Mr. Obama were
elected. The agreement requires ratification by legislatures in both countries
to take effect.
Ron Kirk, the U.S. trade representative, earlier this month criticized South
Korea's auto market as not being fully open to U.S. manufacturers and said his
office was conducting a review of the deal.
Mr. Obama said Thursday in Seoul that he was committed to the agreement and
that officials from both countries were trying to resolve problems.
Two-way trade between South Korea and the U.S. amounted to $84.8 billion in
2008, making Washington South Korea's fourth-biggest trading partner after
China, the European Union and Japan.
Figures compiled by auto industry groups in South Korea show the country
exported nearly 600,000 vehicles to the U.S. last year, while South Koreans
purchased nearly 7,000 vehicles made by American manufacturers.
South Korea has been aggressively pursuing free-trade agreements as part of a
strategy to boost its economy and increase export opportunities.
In effect are agreements with Chile, the 10-member Association of Southeast
Asian Nations, and the European Free Trade Association, which includes
Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway.
In addition to the deal with the U.S., South Korea has concluded negotiations
with the European Union. And Seoul is negotiating free-trade deals with 11
countries, including Canada, Mexico, Peru, Australia and New Zealand.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,662822,00.html
11/23/2009 01:34 PM
US Foreign Policy
Obama's Nice Guy Act Gets Him Nowhere on the World Stage
By Gabor Steingart
When he entered office, US President Barack Obama promised to inject US
foreign policy with a new tone of respect and diplomacy. His recent trip to
Asia, however, showed that it's not working. A shift to Bush-style bluntness
may be coming.
There were only a few hours left before Air Force One was scheduled to depart
for the flight home. US President Barack Obama trip through Asia had already
seen him travel 24,000 kilometers, sit through a dozen state banquets, climb
the Great Wall of China and shake hands with Korean children. It was high time
to take stock of the trip.
Barack Obama looked tired on Thursday, as he stood in the Blue House in Seoul,
the official residence of the South Korean president. He also seemed irritable
and even slightly forlorn. The CNN cameras had already been set up. But then
Obama decided not to play along, and not to answer the question he had already
been asked several times on his trip: what did he plan to take home with him?
Instead, he simply said "thank you, guys," and disappeared. David Axelrod,
senior advisor to the president, fielded the journalists' questions in the
hallway of the Blue House instead, telling them that the public's expectations
had been "too high."
The mood in Obama's foreign policy team is tense following an extended Asia
trip that produced no palpable results. The "first Pacific president," as
Obama called himself, came as a friend and returned as a stranger. The Asians
smiled but made no concessions.
Lost Some Stature
Upon taking office, Obama said that he wanted to listen to the world,
promising respect instead of arrogance. But Obama's currency isn't as strong
as he had believed. Everyone wants respect, but hardly anyone is willing to
pay for it. Interests, not emotions, dominate the world of realpolitik. The
Asia trip revealed the limits of Washington's new foreign
policy: Although Obama did not lose face in China and Japan, he did appear to
have lost some of his initial stature.
In Tokyo, the new center-left government even pulled out of its participation
in a mission which saw the Japanese navy refueling US warships in the Indian
Ocean as part of the Afghanistan campaign. In Beijing, Obama failed to achieve
any important concessions whatsoever.
There will be no binding commitments from China to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions. A revaluation of the Chinese currency, which is kept artificially
weak, has been postponed. Sanctions against Iran? Not a chance. Nuclear
disarmament? Not an issue for the Chinese.
The White House did not even stand up for itself when it came to the question
of human rights in China. The president, who had said only a few days earlier
that freedom of expression is a universal right, was coerced into attending a
joint press conference with Chinese President Hu Jintao, at which questions
were forbidden. Former US President George W. Bush had always managed to avoid
such press conferences.
Relatively Unsuccessful
A look back in time reveals the differences. When former President Bill
Clinton went to China in June 1998, Beijing wanted to impress the Americans. A
press conference in the Great Hall of the People, broadcast on television as a
70-minute live discussion, became a sensation the world over. Clinton
mentioned the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, when the government used tanks
against protestors. But then President Jiang Zemin defended the tough approach
taken by the Chinese Communists. At the end of the exchange, the Chinese
president praised the debate and said: "I believe this is democracy!"
Obama visited a new China, an economic power that is now making its own
demands. America should clean up its government finances, and the weak dollar
is unacceptable, the head of the Chinese banking authority said, just as
Obama's plane was about to land.
Obama's new foreign policy has also been relatively unsuccessful elsewhere,
with even friends like Israel leaving him high and dry. For the government of
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, peace is only conceivable under its
terms. Netanyahu has rejected Obama's call for a complete moratorium on the
construction of settlements. As a result, Obama has nothing to offer the
Palestinians and the Syrians. "We thought we had some leverage," says Martin
Indyk, a former ambassador to Israel under the Clinton administration and now
an advisor to Obama. "But that proved to be an illusion."
Even the president seems to have lost his faith in a genial foreign policy.
The approach that was being used in Afghanistan this spring, with its strong
emphasis on civilian reconstruction, is already being changed.
"We're searching for an exit strategy," said a staff member with the National
Security Council on the sidelines of the Asia trip.
'A Lot Like Jimmy Carter'
An end to diplomacy is also taking shape in Washington's policy toward Tehran.
It is now up to Iran, Obama said, to convince the world that its nuclear power
is peaceful. While in Asia, Obama mentioned "consequences"
unless it followed his advice. This puts the president, in his tenth month in
office, where Bush began -- with threats. "Time is running out," Obama said in
Korea. It was the same phrase Bush used against former Iraqi dictator Saddam
Hussein, shortly before he sent in the bombers.
There are many indications that the man in charge at the White House will take
a tougher stance in the future. Obama's advisors fear a comparison with former
Democratic President Jimmy Carter, even more than with Bush.
Prominent Republicans have already tried to liken Obama to the humanitarian
from Georgia, who lost in his bid to win a second term, because voters felt
that he was too soft. "Carter tried weakness and the world got tougher and
tougher because the predators, the aggressors, the anti-Americans, the
dictators, when they sense weakness, they all start pushing ahead," Newt
Gingrich, the former Republican speaker in the House of Representatives,
recently said. And then he added: "This does look a lot like Jimmy Carter."
Translated from the German by Christopher Sultan
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/biz/2009/11/123_55866.html
11-20-2009 18:48
Why Are American Cars Unpopular Here?
By Jane Han
Staff Reporter
President Lee Myung-bak's remarks that suggested additional auto talks under
the already sealed Korea-U.S. free trade pact is setting off speculation over
what may be freshly offered to disgruntled American car makers, who currently
take up less than 1 percent of the domestic market share.
Industry experts and observers say that Seoul may allow U.S. firms to buy time
by delaying certain tariff eliminations on Korean cars, but largely remain
clueless on "what more can be discussed."
"The U.S. has yet to pinpoint exactly what it wants should we sit down again
to renegotiate the deal," said an official of the Korea Automobile
Manufacturer Association, who didn't want to be named. "Frankly, there isn't
much more to give regarding auto trade."
U.S. auto firms and top officials in Washington have insisted that the Korea-
U.S. free trade agreement (KORUS FTA) is unfair to the U.S. as the current
arrangements alongside "non-tariff barriers" do not allow sufficient market
access for American companies.
Under the current deal, South Korea will immediately lift its 8 percent tariff
on imported cars when the agreement takes effect, while the U.S.
will immediately scrap taxes on Korean vehicles with engine capacities below
3,000 cc, and phase out its 2.5 percent tariff on bigger cars over a three-
year period.
Such key auto provisions have been the main sticking point holding up the U.S.
Congress from ratifying the KORUS FTA, which was signed more than two years
ago.
After a long stalemate, Lee attempted to give a push Thursday by telling his
U.S. counterpart Barack Obama in a televised news conference that Seoul was
willing to "talk" about problems Washington has over the automobile trade.
Cheong Wa Dae office was quick to rule out a renegotiation' of the FTA,
following Lee's remarks, as officials and Trade Minister King Jong-hoon said
the President only meant that he was literally "willing to discuss the issue."
"It just means if they say there are problems, we are willing to listen,"
Kim told reporters.
Lee Hye-min, Seoul's deputy minister of trade, added that changes to the auto
provisions may undermine the balance of interests for both countries.
Automakers Unfazed
Despite the retriggered debate surrounding the auto trade, the local industry
doesn't seem to be fazed over whether Seoul and Washington reopen talks or
not.
An executive of Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, the country's biggest car maker
with up to 70 percent of the local market share, said it is hard to guess what
kind of outcome will occur if the two sides opt for additional negotiations.
"We're not incredibly bothered over the simple fact that auto provisions may
be under review again," he said, fending off speculation of any immediate or
direct impact from the talks.
A Korea Auto Makers Association official said the fundamental reason American
cars aren't popular in Korea is not because of tariffs and taxes, but because
of their quality.
"European and Japanese cars are quickly ramping up their market share here,"
he said. "That should send a clear message to Detroit as to what the real
problem is."
U.S. auto makers sold 6,980 vehicles in South Korea last year, taking up
0.72 percent of the local passenger car market, according to the Korea
Automobile Importers and Distributors Association.
Experts say it is likely that President Lee had this in mind when he mentioned
auto discussions again.
"Chances are that he made the remarks as a political strategy to give the
stalled FTA a boost," said Kim Hyung-joo, a researcher at the LG Economic
Research Institute.
jhan@koreatimes.co.kr
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