3 ms·

I see what you're saying, but there's one further point you should address. It's not the Chinese free market that's giving the US consumers $5 bills for wine, i

I see what you're saying, but there's one further point you should address. It's not the Chinese free market that's giving the US consumers $5 bills for wine, it's the Chinese government. So consumers are enticed to buy wine which they might not have in a market distortion, which hurts not just US wine producers, but Chinese beer producers who compete in the tasty alcoholic treats export market. Maybe a short term gain for US consumers who enjoy their nightly reds and whites, but in the long term, market development will be unnaturally stymied.

mooreds 7y ago
> market development will be unnaturally stymied. I understand where you are coming from, but markets are created by the rules of the government. Some governments (The Netherlands, CA) say that selling marijuana is OK. Some say that it is ok for some people to buy marijuana (medical) and others can't. Some US states say that no one can buy marijuana. Which is the "natural" market? I understand that you are saying that the Chinese government is causing distortions and there is a fairer way to "trade" but that's something for the Chinese state and political actors to decide. This is the same as the way that the USA has decided that trucks are different than cars and should have a different set of import limitations--in both cases this is a political consideration.
- merpnderp 7y ago
  Very good metaphor and I see what you’re saying. And I’m convinced you are correct now. The only thing I’d add is people would still have to weigh the indirect costs of the Chinese wine which might have an emotional cost from supporting economic injustice or lax environmental laws. But the data is pretty clear that nearly zero consumers care about this and would be better off with their $5 (Chinese) chuck.

3 ms·

I see what you're saying, but there's one further point you should address. It's not the Chinese free market that's giving the US consumers $5 bills for wine, i

by merpnderp 7y ago

mooreds 7y ago
> market development will be unnaturally stymied. I understand where you are coming from, but markets are created by the rules of the government. Some governments (The Netherlands, CA) say that selling marijuana is OK. Some say that it is ok for some people to buy marijuana (medical) and others can't. Some US states say that no one can buy marijuana. Which is the "natural" market? I understand that you are saying that the Chinese government is causing distortions and there is a fairer way to "trade" but that's something for the Chinese state and political actors to decide. This is the same as the way that the USA has decided that trucks are different than cars and should have a different set of import limitations--in both cases this is a political consideration.
- merpnderp 7y ago
  Very good metaphor and I see what you’re saying. And I’m convinced you are correct now. The only thing I’d add is people would still have to weigh the indirect costs of the Chinese wine which might have an emotional cost from supporting economic injustice or lax environmental laws. But the data is pretty clear that nearly zero consumers care about this and would be better off with their $5 (Chinese) chuck.