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I work in global trade - jobs generally go to where labor/costs are most efficient. Apparel and shoes will probably never be produced in the US again because th

I work in global trade - jobs generally go to where labor/costs are most efficient. Apparel and shoes will probably never be produced in the US again because the manufacturing process is rather low tech / low skill and countries with lower labor costs have a comparative advantage here. Some economists believe that ultra cheap container shipping has had more to do with globalization than any FTAs have... if you haven't read "The Box" by Levinson it's worth a checking out. TPP is actually projected by industry to be a net income to US companies of around 8 billion - a lot of this will be coming from lower import tariffs on shoes and apparel from vietnam.

xyzzyz 11y ago
* TPP is actually projected by industry to be a net income to US companies of around 8 billion - a lot of this will be coming from lower import tariffs on shoes and apparel from vietnam. * How much of these 8 billions will go to US workers, though? Last few decades suggest that very little, if any.
- totalrobe 11y ago
  Probably little directly but it will help US companies remain cost competitive in the global marketplace (and remain profitable) which does mean that a lot of the high level jobs (marketing, supply chain, design, etc) are still in the states.
  - xyzzyz 11y ago
    It is obviously true that it is easy for powerful few to make laws and rules that only they benefit from. The question is whether it's right and just.
    - totalrobe 11y ago
      As much as HN wants to believe, TPP is not just a giant conspiracy. Sure there are some questionable copyright/IP details, but there are a lot of benefits here for US manufacturers as well - historically import tariffs in SE asia have been quite high which makes it difficult for US exporters to be competitive there. The deck is stacked against US manufacturing in several major economies. If you don't believe me, look at import tariffs in china and brazil (and most of south america and asia). It's quite prohibitive to import many finished goods into these countries as they've been very diligent about protecting their manufacturing base.
      - xyzzyz 11y ago
        What your comment is implying is that these $8 billion will be gained at the expense of the workers in Chinese and Brazilian manufacturing base. I don't see TPP as conspiracy. It is perfectly clear what is going on.
        totalrobe 11y ago
        TPP doesn't involve China or Brazil. I mentioned China and Brazil because these are countries with high tariffs on imported finished goods which encourages manufacturing in-country.

xyzzyz 11y ago

* TPP is actually projected by industry to be a net income to US companies of around 8 billion - a lot of this will be coming from lower import tariffs on shoes and apparel from vietnam. * How much of these 8 billions will go to US workers, though? Last few decades suggest that very little, if any.

totalrobe 11y ago
Probably little directly but it will help US companies remain cost competitive in the global marketplace (and remain profitable) which does mean that a lot of the high level jobs (marketing, supply chain, design, etc) are still in the states.
- xyzzyz 11y ago
  It is obviously true that it is easy for powerful few to make laws and rules that only they benefit from. The question is whether it's right and just.
  - totalrobe 11y ago
    As much as HN wants to believe, TPP is not just a giant conspiracy. Sure there are some questionable copyright/IP details, but there are a lot of benefits here for US manufacturers as well - historically import tariffs in SE asia have been quite high which makes it difficult for US exporters to be competitive there. The deck is stacked against US manufacturing in several major economies. If you don't believe me, look at import tariffs in china and brazil (and most of south america and asia). It's quite prohibitive to import many finished goods into these countries as they've been very diligent about protecting their manufacturing base.
    - xyzzyz 11y ago
      What your comment is implying is that these $8 billion will be gained at the expense of the workers in Chinese and Brazilian manufacturing base. I don't see TPP as conspiracy. It is perfectly clear what is going on.
      - totalrobe 11y ago
        TPP doesn't involve China or Brazil. I mentioned China and Brazil because these are countries with high tariffs on imported finished goods which encourages manufacturing in-country.