International Trade Union

[Joukai]

 As a very wealthy nation, The confederacy of Joukai has proposed an international trade group whereby member countries promise to allow free trade between them and work together to support each other economically. Official rules and what not have not been drawn up because we are wondering if any other nations are interested.

[Xyrael]

The Illuminate will consider the propositions of this Union only when a draft has been drawn up.

[Delfos]

New Delfos already has free trade for free, with restrictions only to dangerous products, and drugs that aren't considered Light (considered as dangerous), soon we will have restriction to tobacco too.

[Joukai]

The Confederacy would like for delegates from interested countries to gather to discuss the Union.

Our current ideas are a central Currency in which to peg our currencies, or create a standard value for currency. Others are International Naval commitments to defending established maritime trade routes.

Now countries may have free trade already, this union will be a coalition of nations working together to improve all Economies, such as collectively defending the Union trade routes.

[Delfos]

We're not interested in an union, either just a pact, or you convince us it's pretty good. Humor us.

[Feniexia]

The Enlightened Empire is interested; however, like the Illuminate, we can not consider giving a clear answer until we know more about this trade union.

[Templarios]

We also would like to know more

[Xyrael]

The Illuminate's chief concern with this union would be the status of a nation's ability to control it's economy. Subsidies, welfare, tariffs, Ministries to direct banking investment, and other functions provided by government should be addressed. Will they be allowed, will they be banned? Under what command chain would ships offered to the merchant fleet lie, within their respective national or within internation?

ooc - although it would be nice to ban subsidies, as it would benefit all members, it would weaken a member with subsidies against the foreign market. Subsidies target individuals within a market, such as a farmer, and are not intended as tariffs to attack foreign markets but instead to benefit the national market. The same is true with welfare. I'm curious if you have some non-libertarian rhetoric to free-trade to use.

[Joukai]

Nations shall be able to maintain complete control over there economies, the goal of the Union is not to control the market collectively, the objective is for member nations to work together economically and trade with one another.  While trade will have to be generally free between the countries, there may be markets that each government may want to protect specifically and thus place tariffs on the import of that product.

 Let us say that I have... Machinery, and your nation would like more machinery, you will turn to member nations for cheaper machines that from the outside. We can jointly own economic projects and allow foreign investors to trade within our markets within the limits of the law.

If one nation is suffering economic hardships, low interest loans could be given out. Outsiders could be allowed to step in and build up the other markets, instead of just allowing nations to fall into oblivion.

As for the joint trade routes, we shall establish sea lanes for trade and divide the lanes between the nations to patrol. The lanes each patrols shall be near their territory extending until it meets the sea lane border of another nation. For deep sea, a joint command shall be established where command of the forces will be a board of officers who elect an officer to head the command. 

[Delfos]

So it's not as inter-national trade union, but international corporation and cooperative trade union. If it's about business and not national affairs, we'll be interested.

[Templarios]

As for the joint trade routes, we shall establish sea lanes for trade and divide the lanes between the nations to patrol. The lanes each patrols shall be near their territory extending until it meets the sea lane border of another nation. For deep sea, a joint command shall be established where command of the forces will be a board of officers who elect an officer to head the command. 

How would this be run? My nation can see great many problems with this kind of organisation.

[Xyrael]

I would much rather see an international bureau preside over all of these affairs rather than a single nation, whose foreign policies may not agree with the Unions.

[Templarios]

We would fight to defend our ships in both international waters, home waters or foreign waters if needed. How would this bureau help us in that?

[Xyrael]

This international bureau would preside over your defending ships instead of your government, preventing you or any member from using the ships for only your self interest. Should, for example, a Union members supply chain be attacked you may not be inclined to assist while under the Union Bureau you'd be required to. It helps bring the networks closer together and prevents the Union from being manipulated as just another resource for the military.

[Templarios]

What would happen if a nation was required to yet never did attack? I would prefer to have security in my own hands where i know what will happen rather than reply on a foreign nation.