Trade and Other Barriers of the US and EU Governments Essay

Trade and Other Barriers of the US and EU Governments - Essay Example NAFTA outlined that import tariffs on sugar imports from Mexico would, over a 15 year period, eventually be phased out, thereby allowing duty free imports to enter the country (USDA 2005). Since NAFTA’s inception in 1994, Mexico now enjoys a more liberal volume of sugar to enter the United States under this agreement whereby tariffs have been excised. As such, under this agreement, the United States is obligated to remove quotas on sugar imports into the country, giving Mexico a considerable export advantage. NAFTA is a trade agreement between Canada and Mexico that is unlike other trade agreements between other countries that import and export raw sugar and processed sugar-containing products. Obligations under NAFTA allow member nations to deliver fluctuating volumes of raw and processed sugar products when Canada and Mexico have achieved a surplus. This is regardless of the volume of sugar produced domestically in the United States. Brazil, being one of the largest sugar pr oducers in the world, is impacted by NAFTA in terms of the quotas established on sugar imports to the United States. The United States must abide by agreements that have been established with trading partners, whilst also attempting to protect its own domestic sugar-producing industry. The U.S. also signed an agreement in conjunction with the World Trade Organization referred to as the Uruguay Round Agreement that guarantees the country will accept a minimum of 152,691 metric tonnes of raw cane sugar from Brazil annually (Federal Register 2011). Hence, the United States has over-extended its obligations for delivery of in-quota raw sugar imports from Mexico and the United States. Brazil, unlike Mexico, is subject to very high tariff rates on sugar products in an effort to deter Brazilian exports from entering the country, which are imposed above the in-quota volume from Brazil at 152,691 metric tonnes. The out-of-quota tariff rate (on quantities over the specified in-quota volume) i s 78 percent (Hornbeck 2006), whilst in-quote amounts guaranteed under the Uruguay Round Agreement are subject to very low import duties. If Brazil and other trading countries are willing to pay the exuberant 78 percent tariff on sugar, there are no restrictions for exporters in terms of the volume allowed into the United States. However, Brazil is also a nation that consumes a great deal of its total production output of sugar, thus when Brazil achieves surplus, it is far more advantageous to export the surplus into neighbouring nations or other international buyers that do not have the internal sugar production capacity as in Brazil or the agricultural prowess in raising sugar beets and sugar cane. This 78 percent tariff is the United States’ methodology of ensuring that domestic production of sugar and sugar-related products is not negatively impacted by export volumes entering the nation. Outside of the in-quota volume guaranteed for allowance into the United States, Braz il is subject to varying tariffs depending on the type of sugar or sugar-containing product produced in the country.

Real Estate Computing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Real Estate Computing - Essay Example Because real estate is so competitive, not having a solid plan in place to accomplish these things will set your business up for failure. There are many aspects involved with closing real estate transactions and a realtor must be able to rely on other professionals to work with them to accomplish their objective - which is to have smooth, successful closing. These professionals must know what they are doing, must be reliable as well as utilize ethical business practices. Working with the right professionals will help to ensure that your agency upholds a good reputation so that clients as well as other real estate professionals will want to do business with you. There are several methods that can be utilized to build your network of professionals and it will be advantageous for you to consider using a combination of the following examples: Your local board of realtors, the National Association of Realtors, your local chamber of commerce, online real estate forums such as ActiveRain.com, and networking organizations such as BNI or Leaders Business Network. These organizations will help you to identify the professionals that you are in search of and gain an assessment of their past performance which will allow you to seek out those with solid reputations. Establishing a loyal client base is the best way to ensure future business and "long term success". Really, it is the best way to avoid the ups and downs and the unpredictable nature of the Real Estate Industry (Stan, 2004). A detailed marketing campaign should be formulated, followed, and evaluated in order to accomplish this. This plan should include a variety of different methods that fit into your budget. Remember that real estate is a very competitive market, so your marketing efforts should be consistent and you should find a way that your agency can stand out in the crowd. This can be done by coming up with a catchy slogan or branding techniques. You really want people to know that you are sincere and that you care about their needs, in other words you are not just in this for the money. You will want to utilize a client data base program such as Outlook or Act and ensure that your data base is kept current and accurate. Your data base will be the lifeline of your business so you definitely want to make sure you back it up! The top methods for building your client base are: letting family and friends know what you are doing, target mailings to areas you may want to service, web sites, targeted Internet advertising, article marketing, opt-in email lists, print advertising and attend networking meetings. Building a solid client base takes time and you should not expect it to happen overnight. For example, you may need to do a mailing to a specific area for six months or more before you get any response. Networking is about building relationships, so don't expect to go to one networking or leads group meeting and walk out of there with a client - you need to show consistency and commitment. Remember, when you are developing your marketing plan you need to identify a way that you can stand out, be consistent,