Anti-dumping case of Vietnam Catfish in US market

Anti-dumping case of Vietnam Catfish in US market Abstract The â€Å"Vietnam Catfish war† was a famous yet controversial case in recent trade disputes. The U.S. Anti-dumping law protects American industries from supposedly unfair import competitions (Lindsey, 1999, p.2). On June 28, 2002, the coalition Catfish Farmers of America (CFA) and eight individual fish processors filed an anti-dumping petition against imports of â€Å"certain frozen fish fillets from Vietnam† under the US. Anti-Dumping Law to the Department of Commerce (DOC) and the International Trade Commission (ITC) (Le, 2004, p.1). Over one year after the original investigation conducted by the US. DOC, the case was finally concluded with the imposition of anti-dumping duties on imports of fish fillets from Vietnam. The range of the duties is between 37 and 64 percent on value of imports (Reynolds & Su, 2005, p. 40). This is what the US. Government said, is it true that the Vietnamese government subsidizes Vietnamese firms in Mekong Delta to unfairly gain a better market share in the U.S.? Or is it just the result of domestic political lobby in the U.S.? This paper will try to discuss related issues surrounding the story of that catfish war. The paper will go through the steps used in the class: issue, rules, analysis, and conclusion (I.R.A.C). Introduction the ISSUE Raising catfish is an important source of income for households residing in the Mekong Delta in Southern Vietnam for more than 50 years (Nguyen, Nguyen & Phillips, 2004, p.20). Catfish is also produced in the Southern United States where it is a major source of income for fish farmers in Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and Louisiana (Hanson, 2005, p.1). In 2002, aquatic products represented 12 percent of total exports from Vietnam, and export value frozen fillets (mostly catfish) is 18 percent of the total value of aquatic exports (VASEP website). The increase participation of cheaper Vietnamese catfish in the U.S forced the Catfish Farmers of America (CFA) to lead a move to halt catfish imports. First, Vietnamese products were forced to be labeled as â€Å"Tra† and â€Å"Basa† instead of â€Å"Catfish†. Second, on the ground that Vietnamese government subsidized Vietnamese catfish farmers, in January 2003, the U.S. Department of Commerce ruled in favor of the antidumping claim and established duties ranging from 37 to 64 percent on imports of frozen catfish from Vietnam (Reynolds & Su, 2005, p. 40). In July 2003, the U.S. International Trade Commission ratified the ruling. As a result, Vietnamese exports of catfish to the U.S. plummeted, almost being shut down completely. Other facts According to the U.S. International Trade Commission, the catfish industry is the largest farm-raised fishing sector in the U.S. In 1999, it accounted for 80 and 64 percent of aquaculture production in volume and value, generating 440 million U.S. dollars (Hanson, 2005, p.1). The delta of the Mekong river, in South Vietnam, also provides a good hab itat for catfish. Known as Basa and Tra, Vietnamese catfish raised in ponds and cages that are placed in the river itself. In 1996, two years after the trade embargo of US. against Vietnam was lifted, Vietnam started exporting frozen fillets of Basa and Tra to the U.S. with sales of a few hundred tons and initially marketed as â€Å"Chinese sole†. West Coast Chinese restaurants responded allowing Basa to take one percent of the US. catfish market (Nguyen, Nguyen & Phillips, 2004, p. 22). The level of exports increased significantly in the early 2000s, reaching a market share in U.S. consumption of catfish of 8.4 percent in 2000 and 19.6 percent in 2002 (Hanson, 2005, p. 4). Also between 2000 and 2002, Vietnamese production capacity expanded by 100 percent, and approximately 50 percent of Vietnamese Tra and Basa was sold in the U.S. market.

The Influence of Islam on GCC Businesses and their Ethical Behavior Essay

The Influence of Islam on GCC Businesses and their Ethical Behavior - Essay Example It is evidently clear from the discussion that all Islamic countries within the GCC are expected to be ethical in ways alike to their conformist counterparts.   As mentioned in their associations, these ethics include additional working operations with skills and integrity, diligence, care, avoiding the conflict of interest just to mention but a few. As ethics and values link to the ideas of what is wrong and right in the organizational context, for Islamic countries it will also be impacted by the Islamic principles of morality and legality. As such, Islamic states of the GCC will have extra ethical dimensions coming from their adherence to the morals and laws of Shari’ah. Though major Islamic businesses have discussed problems linked to the application of laws and rules to ethical practice, the association between ethics and morality has at some limit been neglected. In GCC business transactions, when the legal and ethical values are presumed to exist, some might argue, as particular Shari’ah scholars do, that as long as the needs and stipulations of the agreement are satisfied, the business deal will be both ethical and legal. Nevertheless, this argument might not have credence as the result of business transactions can cause adverse effects on the moral and social welfare of the citizens. A particular way of relating ethics to morals is in examining the impacts of actions of companies on the society. As mentioned by Carroll and Schwartz: â€Å"a business will be ethical only if it encourages good in the society.† That same logic is used to determine the ethical activities and transactions of the GCC. Precisely, activities of the GCC business will be ethical when it enables welfare (maslahah) and morality of persons within the society. On the contrary, a particular business that poses adverse effects on either Islamic morals or welfare of the people would be seen as unethical.

Reem Al Faisals Dilemma Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Reem Al Faisals Dilemma - Case Study Example Reem experienced righteous anger at this humiliation of another, recognizing the injustice; she could have followed her instincts and beliefs and acted to help the young woman, while upholding her own faith and morals. It was clear that the younger woman held a subservient position, yet that did not mean she deserved to be humiliated or treated as less than a person. It was not mere politeness to recognize and respond to another human being and their needs, but a moral obligation to treat them equally. This idea is not only a tenet of Islam, but of many world religions, like Christianity and Buddhism, to name but two. The basic principle of 'do no harm' was violated by the older woman, whose behavior was immoral. Further moral standards include the idea of giving to those who have less than ourselves, to be charitable, and in this case, the differences were obvious; the young woman was poor in comparison to her 'mistress'. In being deprived of courtesy and respect, she was treated as a non person, and in being offered nothing to eat or drink, this status was reinforced. She had no power, nor was her existence considered to have any value. The older woman defined herself by her power and contempt for another human being. She appeared to lack any charitable instincts and instead, set herself above another person in a way that denied that person's human rights. The fee The feelings of the young woman were not explicitly expressed, but Al Faisal recognized them, putting herself in that person's place. She empathized with her, thinking how she herself would feel, watching others eat and drink, while she was singled out as unworthy of such consideration. The happy experience of sharing food and being involved in human interaction was unfairly denied that young woman, for no logical or just reason. While these aspects were taken into account, alongside shyness, politeness, fear of making a fuss, many thoughts and emotions were passing through the onlooker's mind. She was shocked by the lack of basic humanity, and had feelings of shame and "self-contempt" for not having the courage to put right a wrong. More importantly, the realization that to have done nothing was to abandon Islamic belief caused her pain. As she stated: "..if people do not stop an injustice when they see it committed, then God's anger will descend upon them." Reem was angry, not only with the cruel older woman, but with herself for doing nothing. Her anger was righteous, justified, supported by morality, humanity and religious belief. She should have used it to take a stand on behalf of another. On the other hand, the possibility existed that the situation was not quite as it seemed. The full circumstances of the women's relationship were not known; the onlookers could only assume from what they observed, judging by outward appearances. Making assumptions based on what we think is happening can be dangerous. In polite society, it is not acceptable to force one's possibly mistaken views on others. The young woman did not attempt to ask for food or drink, she could have already eaten. She was quiet, but interested in what was going on around her, looking about the place. By transferring one's own feelings and imagination onto the situation, the truth could have been overlooked; perhaps the observer was jumping to the wrong conclusion It is always better to make an informed decision,

A landscape material - Mulch (Organic) Assignment

A landscape material - Mulch (Organic) - Assignment Example In such like practices, a form of irrigation known as Drip is often essential because plastics never allow water to penetrate through. In the small-scale farming, commonly used mulch is the homemade organic mulch. It involves farm remains and household leftovers. After being composed in an accurate place for some time, it will then be placed in between the plants by use of hands. Initially, mulch is often introduced into the farm during the start of a growing season. Some farmers can opt to add it ones on the farm while others can continuously reapply it over and over. During these times, the mulch will efficiently provide a form of heating system to the soil through the retaining of the heat. In this attempt, it will create room for individual activities including early harvesting and relocation of the crops. In the long run, the soil will end up attaining firmness in relation to adequate warmth and moisture (Ripley, 56). The use of mulch has always been accompanied by several benefits to both the land, the plants and to the landowners too. First, use of mulch helps significantly in the ensuring that the soil preserves much water during the dry seasons. Mulch can be of many benefits in the event of trying to overcome the weeds available in a certain piece of land. The applied mulch will tend to cover the available spaces that ought to have been the growing space for the weeds. Mulch also increases the efficiency of the texture of the soil. In certain places, farmers have embarked in using of mulch manure in an attempt to prevent the infestation of the crops by some pests. Mulch is also beneficial to the plants by offering protection to the roots of the plants in certain extreme temperatures. Crops are often known to fall from the main plant due to certain reasons including wind. However, in the event that mulch is used on a farm, it can be of help suppose an edible crop or fruit drops. The mulch will assist greatly in the

1 Corinthians 11 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

1 Corinthians 11 - Essay Example Paul’s implications encompassed convincing Christians to shun taking the Lord’s Supper for granted. This is via likening it with the other meals people normally have in their respective houses. Hence, make Corinthians heed his plea of imitating him and exercise what he taught them based on Christ’s principles (Wiersbe 123). Since, it is through contacting themselves in Christ-like manner that they will be heeding to what the Lord’s Supper rules entail. Relationship evident between verses 17-34 and the overall theme encompasses people’s conduct in the church. This is from their respective groupings while in church before communing to take the Lord’s Supper. Since, most of the Corinthians mistook the lord’ supper to be an event to show case their affluence characterized by greediness and unnecessary human regulations (Wiersbe 128). Therefore, the core aspect in this chapter encompasses conduct in church as well as how to relate with other Christians (Wiersbe

Country Selection and Initial Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Country Selection and Initial Analysis - Essay Example The services sector has the largest contribution of 51% approximately (estimated 2010). The population growth rate is just over 1%, which should be viewed as reasonably well for a Muslim majority emerging nation. The currency is known as Moroccan Dirham (MAD) that fluctuates against US dollar because of changes in global economy. However, the exchange rate prevails between 8 – 9 Dirham / US dollar at present. The GDP per capita was around $4,900 according to 2010 statistics (CIA Fact Book, 2010) It should also be highlighted that the recent floods in Morocco damaged its agricultural crops as the area under cultivation reduced by significant 25 – 30%. As a result, the production of wheat, barley, vegetables and other grains reduced considerably whereas the demand increased due to rise in population. Nonetheless, the government authorities were left with no other option but to increase imports from self-sufficient nations so that they could stabilize wheat prices across M orocco (Reuters Africa, 2010). It should be noted that domestic wheat consumption in Morocco has been estimated to be nearly 8.3 million tons and the shortages resulted in 47% hike in wheat prices (Weisenthal, 2011). The price surge was mainly the outcome of shortage amid price inelastic demand of food products as they are necessities.

Mckinsey Accounting and Engineering Advisors Essay Example for Free

Mckinsey Accounting and Engineering Advisors Essay The firm was founded in 1926 by university of Chicago professor, James (â€Å"Mac†) McKinsey, it was called â€Å"accounting and engineering advisors†. Mac started recruiting experienced executives and training them in the integrated approach he called his General Survey outline. In Saturday morning sessions he would lead consultants through an undeviating sequence of analysis – goals, strategy, policies, organisation, facilities, procedures and personnel – while still encouraging them to synthesize data and think for themselves. McKinsey’s mission was to help clients make positive, lasting, and substantial improvements in their performance and to build a great firm that is able to attract, develop, excite, and retain exceptional people. Bower’s vision of the firm was: â€Å"one focused on issues of importance and top-level management, adhering to the highest standards of integrity, professional ethics, and technical excellence, able to attract and develop young men of outstanding qualifications, and committed to continually raising its stature and influence. Above all, it was to be a firm dedicated to the mission of serving its clients superbly well. Bower also articulated a policy that every assignment should bring the firm something more than revenue – experience or prestige for example. Bower and his colleagues believed that well-trained, highly intelligent generalists could quickly grasp the issue, and through disciplined analysis find its solution. The firm grew extraordinarily domestically in the 1950’s which provided a basis for international expansion that accelerated the rate of growth in the 1960’s. Offices opened in London, Geneva, Amsterdam, Dà ¼sseldorf and Paris. McKinsey was now a well established and highly respected presence in Europe and North America. To Gupta the task of knowledge development had become much more complex over the past decade or so due to three intersecting forces: †¢ In an increasingly information and knowledge driven age, the sheer volume and rate of change of new knowledge made the task much more complex †¢ Clients expectations of and need for leading edge expertise were constantly increasing †¢ The firm’s own success had made it much more difficult to link and leverage the knowledge and expertise represented by 3800 consultants in 69 offices worldwide. Gupta believed that knowledge is the lifeblood of McKinsey. How does knowledge create value for McKinsey and Company? Creating value for a firm means performing activities that increase the value of goods or services to consumers. McKinsey does this by trying not only to ‘serve its clients but also to develop its consultants’. Bower and his colleagues believed that well-trained, highly intelligent generalists could quickly grasp the issue, and through disciplined analysis find its solution. Because of the use of knowledge management one of McKinsey’s clients managing director reflected on a certain outcome that â€Å"their value added was in their access to knowledge, the intellectual rigor they bring, and their ability to build understanding and consensus among a diverse management group.† In 1980 when Gluck joined the central small group that comprised the firm office he proposed that â€Å"knowledge development had to be central, not a peripheral firm activity; that it needed to be ongoing and institutionalised, not temporary and project based; and that it had to be the responsibility of everyone, not just a few†. Gluck was trying to build a shared body of knowledge throughout the firm. Even though doing this may be costly Gluck was hoping the benefits would outweigh the expenses. Knowledge had created value for McKinsey and Company through that its client’s impact studies indicated that the new knowledge structure led to a longer-term focus on deeper understanding of issues. McKinsey and Company’s use of knowledge throughout the firm helped build long lasting client relationships. Gupta believed that knowledge was the core factor in being successful in the long run. Knowledge is a fundamental value for the McKinsey and Company. Even though focusing on developing knowledge throughout the firm may lead to less client work Gupta argued that it was still worth it and would increase value for the firm in the long term. Critically evaluate the company’s soft knowledge management strategy. I.e people. Soft knowledge management is â€Å"less quantifiable and cannot be captured codified and stored easily† (Kidd, 1994; Skyrme, 1998) Tacit knowledge is an example of soft knowledge. Tacit knowledge â€Å"cannot be easily communicated and shared, is highly personal, deep rooted in action and in an individual’s involvement within a specific context. It is commonly referred to as ‘the knowledge in people’s heads†. â€Å"Soft knowledge becomes accepted by virtue of informal authority and consensus within the group.†(Hildreth, Wright and Kimble, 2005). Gluck felt that there was a need to adjust the firm’s knowledge development focus. He believed that â€Å"knowledge is only valuable when it is between the ears of consultants and applied to clients problems.† Knowledge is less effectively developed through the disciplined work a few than through the spontaneous interaction of many. He changed the more structured â€Å"discover-codify-disseminate† model to an â€Å"engage-explore-apply-share† approach. Which is, a more loose approach. Even though McKinsey had adopted hard knowledge approaches, it still relied heavily on soft knowledge components, such as personal networks, old practices like cross-office transfers and strong ‘one firm’ norms like helping other consultants when they called. Unlike the hard knowledge approach the transfer of knowledge with the soft approach is not through databases and ‘Knowledge Resource Directory’s† it is a more informal method. It is when the older staff of the firm helps and teaches the new comers by sharing their experience an d knowledge.