[Skunk]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: So, the US can't force Bangladesh to adopt its labor standards, but it would be fair to place tarrifs on goods from Bangladesh to make up for the benefit Bangladesh gains by using lower standards.

Benefits??? Like poor quality housing, bad school coverage, little in the way of public services, rare health coverage, low standards of health and low life expectancy etc. etc.? Taht's what they get out the deal now - and you call that benefits?

But perhaps the comparison between the US and a third world country is a bit too stark - let's make the comparison fairer, say between, the US and the EU/Japan. The EU has HIGHER standards than the US in almost every field, whether it is labour regulations or environmental standards - all of which both industry and workers have to pay for.

Now your argument is in reverse. Would it be fair to make the US pay additional tarrifs to make up for the benefits that the US gains by adopting lower standards? How about an environmental tax on all US steel imports - since the US has refused to implement Kyoto treaty standards? And ditto for Japan?