The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #116214 Message #2494228
Posted By: Tyke
14-Nov-08 - 06:47 PM
Thread Name: BS: For US 'Catters who like Cashews
Subject: RE: BS: For US 'Catters who like Cashews
I seem to remember a TV documentary one of the subjects was Cashew Nut. I thought that the program stated that Cashew Nuts only grew in one African Country. The Government of that Country imposed a Tax on the unprocessed Nuts being exported. This kept the processing of the Cashew Nuts in the countries factories and employment was created through out the country.
Along came international Free trade who said if this Tax which in their view was impediment to Free Trade, (The Tax on unprocessed Cashews that is) was removed. The price received for the Countries Crop of Cashew Nuts would increase. This would make it possible for the country to borrow Money to build new hospitals and schools etc.
The Tax was removed and the price of Cashew Nuts increased, The Factories in that country could now no longer afford to buy the unprocessed Nuts. Once those factories had closed the price of Cashews fell. This left hundreds to loose their jobs and the countries Government with no money to pay back the loans that they had taken out.