Why Is the U.S. Apologizing to China About Human Rights?

[redskins26]

Now some fresh pickings from the Political Grapevine:

Red in the Face

The State Department is pushing back against allegations that it, in essence, apologized to China over potential human rights violations here in the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Michael Posner told reporters Friday in a discussion about human rights, the U.S. delegation brought up Arizona's new immigration law, calling it a "troubling trend in our society."

Both of Arizona's Republican senators demanded a retraction and apology from Posner, calling his remarks particularly offensive. And Indiana Republican Congressman Dan Burton slammed the comments made to what he called "one of the most repressive societies in the world."

America the human rights abuser

 

[Sarge]

Simply the world view of those that are currently running the place. Interesting that those that are dogging the law (Holder, Napalitano, Posner) haven't even read it.

I guess you should never miss a good opportunity to apologize for America though

 

[Henry]

Usually we just apologize for you Sarge.

 

[Sarge]

Well, with credentials like that, if you're ever unemployed the current adminstartion will probably hire ya!

 

[redskins26]

The government does pay its workers better an average of 115,000 per year verses 78,000 per year

 

[Sarge]

2012 can't get here fast enough. This is why this guy sends minions around the world to apologize to one of the most oppressive regiemes on the planet. He doesn't believe in borders himself

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K63xEbqO4FY&feature=player_embedded[/media]

 

[redskins26]

I just wonder how this apology sounds

How can you apologize for enforceing laws?

 

[servumtuum]

Meh...


This article from SeekingAlpha, an investment website gives a clue.

China: The Brightest Star on the American Investment Horizon

The rebounding American financial sector is not the place to look for performance. High tech industries are still not making major gains in the U.S. There’s one place that America’s multi-nationals say they are turning to for profits, the only place in the world with a truly robust economy: China.

The American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai (which calls itself AmCham) says multi-nationals no longer feel they have an option. Investment in China has become an absolute “must.”

A new AmCham survey shows the exact opposite of the U.S. investment scene. According to the survey, most companies plan to increase their investments in China in 2010, with three-quarters listing it as one of their top three global priorities.

"American companies are finding that their performance in China is the one bright spot in an otherwise difficult global picture," says J. Norwell Coquillard, the chairman of AmCham Shanghai.

More than 90 percent of companies surveyed said they had an optimistic business outlook on China. (AmCham surveyed 369 American companies with Shanghai offices). The overwhelming 90 percent vote of confidence in China is up from 80.7 percent in a similar survey in 2008.

AmCham also found that a stunning 64.5 percent of companies surveyed had plans to increase their investment in China next year. No such figure exists in the U.S.

The U.S. companies bullish on China include a wide range of multinationals, from agribusiness like Cargill and automakers like General Motors, to pharmaceutical companies which are moving research to China as well as many other high-tech companies.

With the value of the yuan dropping in tandem with the dollar, exports from China are falling in price and becoming more competitive on the world markets. But many U.S. firms are focused on domestic sales. Fifty-nine percent of U.S. companies surveyed are producing goods and services for the China market this year. That’s up sharply from a mere 39 percent last year.

All of this indicates a sharp rise in business confidence. U.S. firms are expecting a rise in sales to Chinese manufacturers and a continuing increase in domestic retail sales.

The only dark cloud on the horizon is the prospect of increased Chinese inflation from the declining yuan. China’s economy is moving into double digit expansion but the commodities it needs must be paid for with a depreciated currency. Some observers are predicting that Beijing will be forced to revalue the yuan if inflation becomes a problem.

http://seekingalpha.com/article/177540-china-the-brightest-star-on-the-american-investment-horizon

Add to that the fact that China sits on $895 billion of U.S. debt as of Monday, according to the U.S. Treasury. http://newsessentials.blogspot.com/2010/05/china-boosts-holdings-of-us-treasury.html

Given the choice between "biting the hand that's feeding you (or perhaps keeping you afloat)" and conciliatory statements-"stroking" if you will- it just seems to ba a tactically smart, if somewhat uncomfortable, business decision.

Besides, it's not the first time in U.S history we've "sucked up" to unpleasant governments for economic reasons.

 

[Sarge]

I'd say "Jokes on them". If we ever default, they are in a world of hurt. And while China may be the most attractive place to invest right now, they have demographic issues that are going to come bite them in the ass in the next decade or so.

Nonetheless, when you have people in the adminstration that look up to Mao as a political philosoper, it's not surprising that we're apologizing for whatever the offense of the day is