Great Going, Great Britain: Joining the Trans-Pacific Partnership with 11 other members!

PM Sunak bringing GB into a trade agreement that now has the potential of becoming one of international importance!

What forward-looking leadership by the new Prime Minister of England!

CHERIO!

My opinion.  

Now hear this; now hear this: The Biden Administration may make history for the US heretofore not recorded in its entire of history!

Two possible noteworthy:

1.  Conviction of a former President of a crime while in office of the Presidency.

2.  Capture and prosecution of a President of another country by an international commission for crimes against humanity (in Ukraine).

ALSO:

Plus, working on the country's infrastructure--which had laid in needed repair for decades.

Plus, coping with a pandemic.

Plus, inaugurating programs to manage climate change.

Plus, getting ready for the inauguration of green energy, electric cars in wide-scale use by mid-Century.

Impressive.   My opinion. 

Who wants to go down in US history from a campaign finance possible violation?

The New York State Attorney General? The New York City Grand Jury?  A New York State Judge?  Perhaps, even former President, himself.  Look, this is major news that put off other government lawyers, judges, etc. in centuries past 2023 to considering the possible crime of a sitting President.

Apparently, some former President is now in jeopardy: already achieved indictment, facing possible conviction on one of those indictments.  Oh, you can't forget the baseball bat photo, that may make a good-looking picture in a prison--on a wall, maybe.

Hurry...Who'll be among the first? 

My opinion.

It looks to me we've got substandard trade treatises with Central America!

 I implore the federal government and I implore international traders here in the States to stand behind the USMCA, I think it's better than simply making a trade agreement with some country, because of the standards that dedicated government people have worked out through USMCA.  Please, don't let our vital interests be sacrificed for the sake of a dollar or a bitcoin!  Is there anybody who cares about Central America, which is now in dire need of US investment and US involvement as our interests go beyond Mexico.  Don't leave it to Mexico to protect our interests--vital interests--expand into Central America.

We're doing ok with Lulu in Brazil.  Let's start thinking--Central America together with Mexico.  Aren't you listening to the horror stories coming out of Central America from the migrants begging the United States to take democracy and our trade agreement USMCA into the lands right next to us!  Canada doesn't have the topography of Central America!  Help!

My opinion.

   

After a year of fighting Ukraine, Russia's power is being slowly drained away!

The Economist March 18th issue, pp. 4 9ff, presents data supporting the conclusion that Russia is doing ok, maintaining itself above water while fighting Ukraine.  Helped largely by Turkey and China, it is surviving the harsh economic sanctions imposed by the Western block.  Who would have predicted that it would do as well.

Nevertheless, it is losing its youth and its citizenry through the continuance of the war.  Importantly, it has been humbled that it must, once a powerful nation, tackle Ukrainian forces--Ukraine--once its satellite.  

Russia will have to confront the question of its very posture and status among nations.  Especially, will it again rise to the heights it once was during the Cold War with the West?  I think even its closest friends and allies must admit, Russia has been tumbled from its position of prominence as leader of the communist nations just after WWII; and importantly, may not have the wherewithal to recapture its lofty prominence.  

My opinion.   

Military Might surreptitiously forming in Asian waters.

Something like NATO coming into play in the seas of Asia, coalescing the forces of Australia, Great Britain (I'm so glad you're on your own!) and the United States to exert a presence for peace and to facilitate commercial trade among nations.

Let's anticipate just as scintillating a performance that Western troops are demonstrating in the European theater now. 

My opinion.  

El Salvador's President Bukele is being left to his own devices!

 He is ruining the country, in my opinion.  It's been bad, but it looks to me it's turned into a nightmare!  

We need to develop the Latin American countries.  They are in our hemisphere, to be sure. Leaving them to their own devices is a horrible mistake or just as bad, treating them as satellites of Mexico, a country seemingly dedicated to individual greed!  We're letting countries on our backdoor become infested with marauders, preying on weaknesses of Americans who lust after avarice.  We simply can't let them go their own devilish ways.

It's about time we bear a responsibility for their reckless disregard for the rule of law and of individual rights.  But creating a prison that can house a multitude of suspected crooks isn't a way to met out justice only to train crooks to become more ruthless and less humane, less fit to live in society. 

How could the United States allow the situation to the southern border become so out-of-control, chaotic and open to brutality? 

 I've been there when I lived years in El Paso.  This is what happens when we lose interest in our neighbors.  My opinion.

I saw Amb. Katherine Tai on CSPAN this morning!

The woman is beleaguered!  Congress has a lot of her critics in their membership!

What she's trying to do is tie trade to education of those in other countries involved in business and/or government.  It's laudable, in that this is virtually the only administration that has tried to bring along China and the rest of the world busy in commercial industry.  The issue is, can they benefit from the instruction, or will they  bring down the US to their level of professionalism.  I hope the Biden people will have a positive effect.

Anyway, the reason for this memo is that I get from her presentation that there's little being accomplished in digital trade; and that the field is suffering from lack of enthusiasm.  I've suggested that, as the military helped develop the computer for industry, it become involved in aiding the development of AI technology in business and governmental applications by doing the code busywork!  It would greatly help in establishing the preeminence of the US in this vital application.  Please remember, IBM did not develop computers for business alone; but with the vital element of military smarts.

My opinion.

  

I believe in universal citizen at least a year of service in the military

I've become a believer in the "peace corps" for all citizens!

If my current raft  of projects work out, I'll start to push the US to adopt it.

Briefly, I believe it's necessary to keep order in the world!

My opinion. 

For the sake of the globe, I trust the US military to get the word out: the USA is the greatest country on earth!

The US military could now be en route to show the world, just after a pandemic and currently confronting climate change, that the US is doing what it can to help manage the planet.

To my mind, the UN and its international organization of the nations of the world might show its appreciation for instilling in the people of the US a universal message of hope that we can create altogether a brave new world of peace!

---------

My opinion, with evidence of of knowledge how the US is involved at this moment in helping the Syrians fight off their plight; and in stabilizing the Horn of Africa.  The US isn't forgetting the world's problems to live a normal life. 

Georgian and Soviet (book) by Claire P. Kaiser, discussed at the Kennan Institute March 21, 2023

I have not read the book, so I can merely mention the issues for our time that the book raises.  I consider this to be a very important opus on Russian culture today.  The discussion took place at the Institute and online, 2-3 PM, March 21st.; moderated by the Institute's director William E. Pomeranz.

Seemingly, there's still a cult of followers of Stalin flourishing in the nation of Georgia and elsewhere in the former Soviet Union Empire.  As Ms. Kaiser points out, through the Soviet Republic years of Russia, i.e., as a the Russian Empire, Georgia retained the distinction of being the province where Joseph Stalin was born and raised.  Henceforth, within the Empire, the  province was honored as being especially related to Moscow, the imperial capital: Georgia's capital, being regarded as the cultural city of communist heritage.

And, the fact that Tbilisi became identified with the cultural heritage of the Empire bespeaks the favorable reputation and fond feelings the Russians have still for Stalin, as cited in polls taken in the early 2000s.  Mentioned in the discussion by way of passing, it's almost as if Stalin's ghosts resides still in the city--despite the city fathers' attempts to move on!

It is clear indeed, that today's nation of Georgia wishes to be identified with the West--the EU; and NATO, because of their government's attempts to seek affinity with the EU block.  Nevertheless, Georgia's past contains remembrances of how Stalin withstood the onslaught at the gates of Moscow bravely with his soldiers against Hitler's crack troops.

With the imagery ever-present in the minds of Russians living today--in countries which have become independent from Russia and in Russia itself--are the Russian people psychologically capable of "moving on"--refusing to be encumbered by the horrors of WWII even though, at the same time, extolling the courage of their Stalin in leading to victory over Nazism?  

P.S. But then again, President Putin, by his invading Ukraine (i.e., another former province), is denying it to move on--as is the will of this independent nation.

The Computer field needs the military focus on AI applications for business, military.

The air force has proven with the F-35 the advantages of using Artificial Intelligence in wide applications of the military.  The military was called on to develop the computer when just a major company or two were busy at it.

What I'm suggesting is that the computer field needs the dedication of the many in the military to acquaint themselves with AI utilization by taking courses while serving the country with the aim of coming up with applications for government and private enterprise.  The issue is the many who are needed to "play with the computer" in coming up with innovations that could subsequently be deployed in the computer industry.

And I am saying this after reading reports how little is being devoted to AI research but for the United States to become the leader in this advanced, but right now, technology with few applications in the business, military world--according to my impressions and the recent reports in the Economist issues of March, 2023.  The computer field could benefit from military involvement in developing AI applications.

Just a  thought because I know how important and vital the role of the military in the early development of the computer in the 50s and 60s proved to be.

I have some ideas; please keep my group on the development staff! 

 

 

Why is China in Africa?

Let's go through a list that has a lot to recommend the Chinese as good neighbors:

1: China needs a place to handle the overflow of people!  Moreover, placing colonies all over the Continent, adds to their reputation as a world power.  Just look at the number in the United States!  Chinese are everywhere, living in foreign homesteads!

2: China needs plenty of minerals.  That's what President Xi has in common with President Putin: Getting the goodies of the earth. They're helping with infrastructure projects, sometimes hiring local Africans. 

3: China appears as ethnically, a generous people.  Look how they loan money in Africa; and if they don't get it back according to some payment schedule, they're willing to draw up another modified version.

4: Chinese in China look well-cared for.  They seem to be doing ok.  Health care, housing, and so forth--doing pretty well.  And they take care of their sick, including mentally ill--seemingly.  

5: Rumors have it that some Chinese living in Africa even marry the native Africans.

6: There's even a military base of Chinese soldiers in the Horn of Africa region, giving evidence of protecting the area.

My opinion.

 

United States is suffering from the "Ignorance syndrome"

People the country over would subscribe to the idea that there's plenty of good jobs for those that only know how to go the "bathroom."  I call that the "African syndrome" of educating, because there seems to be universal agreement that Continent over, their governments don't have to pay to educate their children; and so the kids run around in tattered clothing, begging for food!

But that is precisely an appealing logic in the United States among some who believe government should have limited affect in the citizen's life.  That means, for the poor, they simply need to know how to ask for a hand-out, because nobody will train them to take a job!  Okay, some kids foolishly wasted precious youth years, but that does not explain why society should let them waste away the rest of their life in ignorance of what they could be doing.

There's the community college to give the poorly educated another chance.  And they might take it, if the government would pay for them so as to enable them to take a responsible position in their society.

   

   

What the planet needs is a place to sink carbon dioxide, carbon residue

Get it out of the air, recommends the Economist.  (March 4, 2023, p. 10)

The magazine appears glad that Bolsonaro is back in power.  (I liked him, too.)  That should slow the deforestation of the Brazilian rainforests.  They wonder what will work in the Belgian Congo, where tree deforestation is accelerating.

But what may work, long term--it's worth a try--is some invention that carries carbon residue, once all that could be useful was, into space via a space capsule.  Get it away from the planet Earth!

My opinion--for what's it worth! (#2) 

My tour of duty did not include Haiti, but I have a thought!

 The problem is Haiti's had so much attention, when I think the way to broach Haiti is through finding Santo Domingo favorably disposed to your approach to the problems in Haiti.

In other words, Santo Domingo holds long-lasting peace in Haiti!  Believe it not!

My opinion--for what's it's worth. 

Mexico needs help in staying democratic!

The USMCA should be further extended to include as many Central American countries that want to join.

The reason seems obvious: Mexico would be alone without others in the USMCA that are in Central America.  No discrimination, please, within this critical partnership.

It further opens up shipping lanes on both major Oceans--Atlantic and Pacific.  Enough said.

My opinion.

TikTok unleashes psychological frenzy that inhibits thought and rationality in mankind!

 I just became aware of the dangers of Tiktok.  Not the folks who developed it are wrong:  it's fun, just so long as it does not signal a way of life.  To create the condition of frenzy in the human is not the way to live: it makes the individual become susceptible, succumb to the will of another, which is the advantage autocracy plays upon the human gene!

I don't recommend it as a way of life, nor do I think we, as human beings, should enable teenagers, even younger, choose the extensions of the Tiktok enthusiasm as a way of life.

My opinion.  Good luck, Congress.  Leave it to the psychologists to design how the Tiktok's fun can be available for the young without choosing it as a way to circumvent the development of  being rational.

Just heard Pakistan President in grave difficulty--Communist try at the country, I think.

The IMF money, I understand, has been pledged, but the need is very great.  That China has befriended Pakistan over the years is simply because American aid has simply been spotty!

The country has been devasted!  

US troops joining with Philippine forces to establish a frontline perimeter of an independent Philippines!

 The Philippine islands have been infested with extremists so the US troop presence there to prepare should an Asian conflict erupt adds military strength also to withstand internal chaos should it erupt.

Democracies, even ones as committed to freedom as the United States, knows from hostile attacks, from within and without that we are pitted against an evil force, that would, if they are given the opportunity, subject all others to the conditions of poverty and subjugation.

We know our enemies of freedom.  We must be victorious on the battle field and in the electoral vote. They cannot prevail for the sake of who we are as principled human beings, not given to the terrain of the cave, the plaine, nor the forest.     

President Zelensky in Bakhmut, handing out parcels of valor

The Ukrainian troops to the north of the city, to the south of the city greeted their Commander of the fierce battle for Bakhmut, still in Ukrainian hands all these long 9 months and more.  He cheerfully walked among them, encouraging them to hold fast. and giving thanks for their steadfastness to Ukraine.

Pictures were taken by reporters, who became at once historians of the battle for homeland victory on Ukrainian soil--shared with the world in order to embolden all who are suffering under dictatorial oppression to "never give in" but wage "the fight for the right."

President Zelensky, a hero among the free and the brave.   

Senator Warren seems to want Mr. Powell to be ousted from the Federal Reserve.

According to Sen. Warren Mr. Powell is favoring the really big banks--taking a big windfall from letting laissez-faire be the ultimate governing oversight rule for them.  "You should know a bank is safe," says Senator Warren.  But the big banks offer a wealth of quick fast opportunities to make a killing--as I get her meaning to their overall administrative trickery.

Nevertheless, President Biden seems to give Powell a vote of confidence as Chairman of the Fed.

Sen. Warren implies she is going to build a coalition of senators in Congress to give him--Mr. Powell--a vote of no confidence.  I hope she knows how to proceed!    

What a genius idea--solar panels all along railroad tracks! How about along the major highways on the side; and on beaches?

The weather channel just reported they're thinking of laying solar panels between the railroad tracks the scope of the countryside!!

Wow, US ingenuity on the prowl!  

--How about airport runways?  Instead of floating seaweed, floating solar panels on the high seas!

Contraceptive pill for men in the works!

The Economist reports the Weill Cornell Medicine of New York is working on the idea and experimenting with male mice.  (Economist, February 18th issue, p. 72).

More tests please.  What will state legislatures do if it proves to work?  Another potential product for the banning?    

One Brexit is enough for GB!

Scotland has had its referendum and a second one was proposed but did not come to fruition.  I think the idea has soured a bit over going independent.  Ms. Sturgeon, first minister of Scotland, resigned after being in office as head of Scottish movement since 2014.

The Economist comments, the concept of an independent Scotland just too EU and not British enough to gain enough support for another try at this time.  Oh well, the model of a French Quebec that has its own culture embedded in the land maybe will fit the Scots lifestyle.  

China extracting minerals for semi-conductor manufacture used in cars, etc.

China's getting oil and gas from Russia, its neighbor.  But through its Belt and Road Initiative, China's relying on mineral mining, e.g., cobalt and nickel from the Congo; copper also from African countries.

It is manufacturing electric cars for the American market, and there's plenty of demand already in the States in anticipation.

     

There's crises in the international trade treaties: they need a process for review and update

There are hundreds and hundreds of trade treatises!  I'm taking a course for seniors on international trade at OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute) at American University.  A prominent thrust in the course's presentation is a cry out in need for a review process of those agreements in use, to bring them up-to-date and forward looking--like when they were being fashioned and organized.

Because it takes time and deliberate preparation to bring them up to current economic and local conditions that both improve the written document and allow for expanding its membership: changing them.

And any update may be prone to take time so that everybody gets on the same wave length.

Our instructor, Mr. Williamson, brings in tech people to let us in on the dynamics of a trading group.  It's a real addition that helps us to become aware of some crises in the field.    

Ethiopian Civil War is about over, hopefully. Now what?

 The Ethiopian Electric Power Company should involve all neighboring countries, especially the Sudans, to help in development of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam for the prosperity of the area.

I understand the United States and the IMF are there along with China and Russia to provide technical assistance in project design to the region.

The war was brutal and long, indeed.  Now is the time for healing. 

Is there any group or individual posting a reward for President Putin to appear in court?

With famous dignitaries announced per a court's arrest, there's sometimes a reward posted for bringing in the wanted individual to the particular court with the arrest warrant outstanding--in this case, the International Criminal Court, residing in the Hague.

I haven't heard whether there's a group or humanitarian agency announcing a reward should some group be able to apprehend the Russian President for holding till an appearance before this court.

Is this an oversight that might indeed be considered by a government willing to act on this announcement to detain through their military?

To my mind it is now clear (after meetings all day!) why President Putin chose Ukraine to invade first!

I've had some meetings I was scheduled for today.  One of them dealt with the innovations hitting the agricultural industry.

There are so many changes occurring in the ag field that will have profound effects how the industry will adjust to the raft of recent innovations, still being instituted, that I'm of the opinion President Putin thought--since the field is in the making of improvements, it is just about time to change Russian agriculture; and among the countries formerly under Russian control being, prominently in agriculture, Ukraine.  

Makes sense to me: if Russia were to think of bringing the industry in Russia up to modern standards, start with Ukraine, first.   It explains, too, why President Putin allowed Ukraine to ship down along the food chain the harvested year's grains while war is being waged. 

Will the Post Office and Fed Ex be hounded by investigators for abortion pills?

 Perhaps, one can imagine that, unable to get medicines in this country, women in their effort to prevent their own pregnancy will try to get abortion pills from abroad.

Will then our US post office and box carriers be hounded by sponsors of legislation to prevent American medical agencies from dealing with requests for abortion pills now shift to the detecting of any abortion pills coming into their states from abroad?   For, the issue of getting abortion medicines from abroad may arise.   

Significantly--unfortunately, turning neighbor against neighbor will probably be the ultimate result of strictly enforcing anti-abortion state legislation.  

Otherwise, there'll be a resultant rigorous customer demand for development of a male preventive pregnancy pill!

The Cost to US for its goodwill awaits its positive results: Clean up Asian waterways! Asians will live longer.

 The United States could be doing so much through its Army Corps of Engineers to assist Asians to finally have control of its water, so that Asians could live long.  What's the point to trade with the East, if not to show a willingness to extend our hand in fellowship to them.  That includes, the Pacific Islands.  

Let China struggle with its government.  Let the goodwill of the United States go globally to help those living their daily life dipping their mouths into the polluted rivers that could be adversely affecting their life.  

But let's not develop a China Syndrome!

My opinion.

Society never needs to worry about not enough kids to add to the population!

It's true that many cultures are producing insufficiently a younger population to supplant the elderly.  A lot are bearing statistics of producing 1.4 to 1.8 kids per family on the average.

China's had the situation, encouraged by the government at times.

Glad to say, all that governments need to do, and its primarily resolved through government action, I believe, is to offer payments to parents who take on more children.  You can think of occupations where a father or mother is so busy furthering a career that their spouse would be glad to raise more kids, e.g., doctors, lawyers and busy CEOs without much time.  Personally, I've been busy in my later years, that had I been married, I would have encouraged my spouse to take on the raising of a kid while I keep working away more than most do at my job!  

Just to leave the reader with the thought, I think it would be easy to find situations where some parent, either divorced and living alone, or just having a busy spouse at his or her job, would welcome a new member of the family for the added company--and joy!

And, it's not right for corporations to prey upon child labor.  There's plenty of love and care available in families of the society, where a child can do much good helping and encouraging one another in a family group; where they can belong. 

My opinion.  

What do we have globally: Part III We have President Biden leading a call for recently turned autocracies to re-embrace democracy; we have Nigerians standing for democracy in Africa; we have many countries with serious indebtedness.

It seems apparent that democracy has been in retreat in the Third World Nations.  President Biden is defending the cause of democracy, namely, that nations that have gone back to autocracy, should consider that their citizens might lose the rule of law proviso of democracy.  They may abandoned the people's right of peaceful protest against policies invoked by the government, too.

It is too soon to know the effects of President Biden's appeal to governments that formerly were democratic.  Nevertheless, we are mindful of the existence of the Commonwealth of Nations whose member states were former colonies of England but now are independent nations that boldly announce their democratic suppositions in governing.

That so many poor countries, having experienced the grave effects of the recent pandemic and the climatic effects of the effects upon our planet of increased carbon emissions into the atmosphere, find themselves confronting a huge debt to bear without many places to turn to for even a temporary relief.

Nevertheless, there are signs of change that spell good times ahead.  1.  As countries turn away from fossil fuels to supply energy, they are inventing new ways to harness the sun's indefinite supply through solar panels and wind turbines, store it, and use it through electrical grids.  

2.  Business and commerce will be far more dependent on AI technology to drive factory production and create innovative change that makes reliance on human productivity our only source for rational choice.  AI, that can make use of robots on the assembly lines; that can plan efficient supply chains, picking up value added items as the chain is traversed.   

We should anticipate seeing great advantages mount as AI is more heavily depended on to replace what humans had to plan and think through by themselves, without making use of data available only through AI tools!

In short, a world of capitalism, democracy and capable of drawing upon a wealth of global data not heretofore available to mankind but through AI has become bedrock, awaits mankind in the future.       

What do we have globally: Part II: We have Russia invading Ukrainian territory; we have China on the move in Africa, in the Pacific Islands, in balloons over US and over Canadian territory.

President Putin is desirous of pursuing another Russian Empire, evidently, claiming to absorb Ukraine within its borders, while China has become an international power preparing to compete with the United States in trade and commerce.  Meanwhile, the Pentagon is aligning with Taiwan to block any Chinese  threat to that island's independence from off its shores, while NATO nations are supplying Ukrainian freedom-fighters with weaponry and planes to withstand Russia's waves of troops onto their land.

While fighting is occurring in Europe between Russia and Ukraine, Russia has joined with China in roaming throughout Africa--seeing how each of them can make themselves useful to independent governments there in difficulty over improving the local infrastructures, including bridges, railroads and constructed buildings.

Their presence in Africa, i.e., China and Russia, is in addition to bands of Muslim Jihadists who are embedded, it would seem, in Somalia, and in northern Nigeria, pockets scattered about other African countries, too, while the African Union, together with a contingent from the US military, seek to rout at least some of them.

Additional to the Chinese in Africa, China is recently in contact with Pacific islander governments, e.g., Solomon Islands, to establish trade and presumably assistance deals.

Be it also known that China has set up a military base in the Horn of Africa, and may be considering other base sites, given that the Chinese not only offer African governments assistance in local infrastructure projects but establish Chinese colonies in these African countries.

As to the balloons over the United States, President Biden has ordered they be destroyed by the US military. 

The United States has had contacts throughout Africa for many years, as well as the former colony-settler countries France and England; and offer assistance through investment into projects carried forth on African soil, per usual.

    

 

         

What do we have globally: Part I: We have earthquakes--Turkey and Syria; overwhelming floods--Pakistan; and very heavy snow--West Coast of US.

Probably, some of the radical disruptions from what are normal patterns this time of year can be traced to climate change; and just some unusual weather events chalked up to the fact of its being winter in the northern hemisphere of the planet--a time for blizzards and pounding snow on rooftops.  

But a 7.8 earthquake in Turkey is very strong, not one as devastating in the area since 2010.  And, Pakistan is in a bad way due to extensive flooding, I understand.  That government is looking to the IMF for loan relief.

And California, which has for a few years experienced drought, is now covered with many feet of snow, keeping everybody close to home.

Some of these winter storms trekking across the midwestern states are moving at very fast speeds, enough energy stirring up the plains that roofs come off and houses are wrest from their foundations into adjacent  rivers and streams.  Nature playing havoc with electrical grids, causing intermittent blackouts.

   

Brookings: "USMCA: Building More Integrated Resilient and Secure North American Supply Chains" Panel Discussions

 On Tuesday, February 28, 2023, 1 PM, Brookings Institution presented a 2-panel discussion on the successor of NAFTA, USMCA.  A short introduction preceded with opening remarks by Brahima S. Coulibaly, Director of the Global Economy and Development at Brookings.  

Panel 1 consisted of Joshua Meltzer, Global Economy; Patrick Ottensmeyer, CEO, Kansas City Southern Railroad; Simon Kennedy, Deputy Minister, Science and Economic Development, Canada; Claudia R. Massieu, USMCA Implementation, Mexican Senate; and Jayme White, Deputy US Trade Representative.  On Panel 2 were Joshua P. Meltzer, Global Economy; Professor Kevin Kolben, Rutgers Business School; Kenneth Smith, Partner-AGON and Mexico Chief Negotiator of USMCA; Cathy Feingold, Director of International Dept., AFL-CIO; and Sylvia Ortega Salazar, Adviser, National College Professional Technical Education (CONGLEP).

Free Trade Associations have a long history in the region, the Caribbean dating from 1965 founded by Barbados.  So, it is expected that the current one for Canada, US and Mexico would be somewhat more advanced yet contain the values of free trade, cooperation, add-on value by offering complimentary items that make the final product worth more; and a way of handling disputes raised by one nation or another's member; training curricula for today's placement in contemporary industries; and even talk of future expansion of the member nations.  I found the usual values extolled for free trade, the typical jargon.

What was missing from this very serious discussion of a momentous leap forward into the future for free trade in the hemisphere is recognition of a current new modus operandi of doing manufacturing, viz., the introduction, possibly leading to extensive implementation of AI technology involving the use of robots and the decision-making business conduct of factory production of new items, some involving new ways of doing business.  AI technology is just beginning in the manufacturing workplaces; and I was expecting to hear plans for their being part of a training curriculum of today's and tomorrow's workers: whether or not in the factory but certainly encompassing the large and mid-size businesses activities.

I was somewhat involved in the planning of NAFTA; and I could see even before it was implemented that it would not be specifically aimed at attracting worker support.  I was hopeful that USMCA would overcome some of its inadequacies.  Also, I was looking to have a plan for expansion of the treaty to include Central American countries, sorely lacking integration into regional trade policies spearheaded by Canada and the US.  Nor did I find sufficient reference to how the Universities, community colleges and high schools would be upgrading their teaching to include AI concepts, since AI appears to be headed for huge impact into industrialization of the future.  In sum, I wondered how this treaty would attract investment capital: nothing seemed new and exciting to its concepts.  Specifically, within the panel presentations, AI technology wasn't even mentioned, I don't think.