China has bullied South Korea and other countries on trade by using unfair regulations. China has regulations requiring that Chinese entities own over 50% of foreign subsidiaries operating in China. China has EXREMELY UNFAIR regulations that they use to restrict imports of online games and other products, and gain technological knowledge in return for access to the Chinese market. This is in addition to very lax regulation of copyrights and patents.
I am glad Trump is standing up to China, because no other country would dare due to retaliation. Now, China is stating that they are saving the world from unfair US trade practices? Generous trade practices by the US has contributed to developing many under developed countries into developed ones. South Korea, Japan, and China, just to name a few.
Express: 'We're saving the world from US,' says Beijing as trade war EXPLODES
Sincerely hope that no one believes all this misinformation by China. If news were free in China, we would hear more about all the human rights abuses and aggression against minority groups, especially Muslim and other religious groups.
Newsweek: CHINA, YOU'RE AN EMBARRASSMENT ON TRADE | OPINION
Tuesday, September 25, 2018
Monday, September 24, 2018
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Legalizes Marijuana
Another place with legal recreational marijuana. Wish I lived there instead of Korea.
Forbes: Governor Signs Marijuana Legalization Bill, Making History In US Territory
Forbes: Governor Signs Marijuana Legalization Bill, Making History In US Territory
Thursday, September 20, 2018
Cannabis Company Worth $20 Billion
Is Korea missing out on a lot of business opportunities and jobs due to outdated marijuana laws?
CBS News: Tilray shows the highs, lows of investing in pot
CBS News: Tilray shows the highs, lows of investing in pot
Wednesday, September 19, 2018
All Around The World, Only The Rich Keep Getting Richer
Not only in Korea, but all around the world, the rich keep getting richer and the poor keep getting poorer.
The Guardian: If the Czech economy is thriving, why are we so poor?
The Guardian: If the Czech economy is thriving, why are we so poor?
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
South Africa Rules Marijuana Is Legal
South Africa's high court ruled that private consumption of marijuana is legal.
Hightimes: South African Court Rules Private, Adult-Use Cannabis is Legal
The pace of legalization seems to be accelerating.
And you can bet CBD is going to be big, if Coca-Cola is looking to invest in it.
Hightimes: Coca-Cola in Talks to Make the Next CBD-Infused Beverage
Hightimes: South African Court Rules Private, Adult-Use Cannabis is Legal
The pace of legalization seems to be accelerating.
And you can bet CBD is going to be big, if Coca-Cola is looking to invest in it.
Hightimes: Coca-Cola in Talks to Make the Next CBD-Infused Beverage
Sunday, September 16, 2018
Korea Finally Raises Property Tax On Residential Property
The Korean government announced new measures to counter the rapid rise in residential property values. These measures need to be approved by the national assembly. The measures include a raising the property tax to 3% for those with residential properties worth over about one million dollars (and taxed only on the amount over one million dollars), stopping mortgage loans to those with multiple residential properties, raising the value at which properties are taxed to 100% of the actual market value. Most Korean media have "experts" on their news shows criticizing these measures and stating that they will not work. These "experts" do not have any opinions on how to counter the rapid rise in property values, but they definitely are against anything the Moon administration proposes.
The wealthy have few other places to park their money, so they buy up real estate, using loans and mortgages, if possible. This makes owning an apartment, or house nearly impossible for ordinary people. An average small apartment in Seoul costs about $500,000.
Yonhap News: Seoul unveils tougher measures to cool down property prices
The wealthy have few other places to park their money, so they buy up real estate, using loans and mortgages, if possible. This makes owning an apartment, or house nearly impossible for ordinary people. An average small apartment in Seoul costs about $500,000.
Yonhap News: Seoul unveils tougher measures to cool down property prices
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
Trump Wants Korea To Pay For THAAD?
The guy is definitely senile. I am certain his generals have told him the history behind THAAD, the missile defense system.
The US had asked South Korea for years to allow THAAD to be installed in Korea. Korea refused. With THAAD in Korea, the US can monitor missiles launched from China, Russia and North Korea sooner.
If North Korea, China or Russia launch missiles at Korea, there is very little time to react. In addition it would ruin good relations with China. Also many Koreans, do not want THAAD in Korea.
CBS News: Why wouldn't S. Korea want U.S. missile defenses? (June 14, 2014)
Stars and Stripes: Why do so many South Koreans hate THAAD? It’s complicated
Former President Keun-hye Park agreed to give permission to install THAAD in Korea in retaliation for North Korean missile launches. She also agreed to give land free of charge for the installations.
Because South Korea installed THAAD, China retaliated by stopping group tours from visiting Korea and cracking down on Korean companies in China. A Korean company, Lotte, had their stores in China inspected and all failed to pass inspection and were forced to closed. After a couple of years of closed stores, Lotte sold their businesses in China for a loss. In total, Lotte probably lost over 10 billion dollars. Korea's tourist economy has probably suffered tens of billions of dollars over the past few years. The land where THAAD was installed used to be land for a golf course and belonged to the Lotte Group. They were pressured by public opinion to sell the land to the government. If they didn't sell, people would complain about them being unpatriotic.
CBS News: Angered by U.S. anti-missile system, China takes economic revenge
The US did little, if anything, to defend South Korea from Chinese retaliation.
As soon as North Korea denuclearizes, South Korea has promised China that it would remove the THAAD installations. This is something that the US generals do not want.
After being told all this by his generals, Trump wants Korea to pay for THAAD?
Definitely senile, IMHO. Trump called President Moon a couple of days ago and demanded that South Korea pay for THAAD.
To Trump, don't worry. In a short time, you can take THAAD back! South Korea has no reason to pay for something that the US wanted and pushed for.
The US had asked South Korea for years to allow THAAD to be installed in Korea. Korea refused. With THAAD in Korea, the US can monitor missiles launched from China, Russia and North Korea sooner.
If North Korea, China or Russia launch missiles at Korea, there is very little time to react. In addition it would ruin good relations with China. Also many Koreans, do not want THAAD in Korea.
CBS News: Why wouldn't S. Korea want U.S. missile defenses? (June 14, 2014)
Stars and Stripes: Why do so many South Koreans hate THAAD? It’s complicated
Former President Keun-hye Park agreed to give permission to install THAAD in Korea in retaliation for North Korean missile launches. She also agreed to give land free of charge for the installations.
Because South Korea installed THAAD, China retaliated by stopping group tours from visiting Korea and cracking down on Korean companies in China. A Korean company, Lotte, had their stores in China inspected and all failed to pass inspection and were forced to closed. After a couple of years of closed stores, Lotte sold their businesses in China for a loss. In total, Lotte probably lost over 10 billion dollars. Korea's tourist economy has probably suffered tens of billions of dollars over the past few years. The land where THAAD was installed used to be land for a golf course and belonged to the Lotte Group. They were pressured by public opinion to sell the land to the government. If they didn't sell, people would complain about them being unpatriotic.
CBS News: Angered by U.S. anti-missile system, China takes economic revenge
The US did little, if anything, to defend South Korea from Chinese retaliation.
As soon as North Korea denuclearizes, South Korea has promised China that it would remove the THAAD installations. This is something that the US generals do not want.
After being told all this by his generals, Trump wants Korea to pay for THAAD?
Definitely senile, IMHO. Trump called President Moon a couple of days ago and demanded that South Korea pay for THAAD.
To Trump, don't worry. In a short time, you can take THAAD back! South Korea has no reason to pay for something that the US wanted and pushed for.