The Beginning of Trade
Poland is a nation found in East Central Europe. The deterioration of the Polish economy was a major factor in the crisis thus forcing its communist party (Polish United Workers' Party) to surrender its power. Heavy borrowing from western banks in the 1970's left Poland saddled with an unmanageable debt. In 1987, the Polish government reached an agreement with its creditors on debt restructuring. Western aid to Poland increased significantly after the political revolution of 1989. The new non-communist government of Poland sought to bring about economic reformation. Price subsidies on foodstuffs and manufactured goods were removed and a lot of state-owned industries were sold to private owners as well as foreign companies and work-force collectives. At first, the attempt seemed to be chaotic. Inflation and unemployment rose dramatically while industrial production and its currency lost its true value. With the aid of foreign credits and investments, the situation was finally convenient for the Polish population. All things related to trade had stabilized and found its way to world trade. In line with the Communist policy emphasizing heavy industry, iron and steel production, manufacturing was at the heart of it all between 1945 to 1989. The chemical industry was developed in the same period. The chief light industry was textiles. In the start of the 1970's, greater attention was diverted to production for the consumer market like motor vehicles, food processing and electronics. Temperate-zone grains produced in Poland include barley, wheat, oats and rye. The country's production of potatoes and sugar beets ranks among the world's highest. Pork was the traditional animal stock bred on polish farms while cattle and sheep farming increased in the 1980's. As a member of the so-called Council for Mutual Economic Assistance (Comecon), Poland's trade was primarily directed to other communist parties. In the 1970's however, the exports of the group declined. In the 1980's, Poland opened its gates to world trade finding a partner in developed countries. In 1989, Poland started a prospering bilateral relation with the United States. The Polish government plays a vital role in significant aspects of US government including the Global War on Terror, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan as well as coalitions with Iraq. Major Exports and Imports Between US and Poland After the decline of its economy, Poland was supported by United States in many ways. In fact, in the 1980's, the latter extended a $765 million agricultural assistance to its comrade. As the years go by, they have developed a sense of belonging in each other's trade. For the period ending July 2008, the US Census Bureau tracked a favorable result in terms of exports and imports of the two nations. The United States' exports to Poland garnered a total of $2.72 billion while the imports of the former from the latter totaled $1.75 billion. For 2006, the following data were gathered:
Poland is a member of the European Union but is at the same time reliant upon United States' support. With these evident facts, the Polish government found it necessary to enact a trade agreement that presupposes excellent trade between the two nations geared to minimize the conflict between the US rulings and the EU laws. The key provisions were directed to the following:
As mentioned above, Poland was a member of the EU and with this fact, conflict between the US and Poland was seen to be in the way. With so many standards which were not met, the two nations found themselves on the verge of trade disparities. Other significant issues like the following needed to be resolved:
Apart from the topics mentioned above, Poland had rejected the United States bid to host the Ballistic Defense System. On this regard the Poland's missile defense site was affected. Several arrangements and conferences were made and it even involved future rulers of the US Government, either John McCain or Barrack Obama. Little is known of the entire issue but speculations have been spreading like wildfire. In the near end, there are possibilities that Poland's site will be rejected by US as well. With some of these pressing situations, some may think that it is too impossible for trade to flourish. However, it is always true that the governments of each country change. In time, when both officials from Poland and the United States come into terms, there is a great tendency that all conflicts could be resolved. The most important thing for any foreign trade to prosper is transparency at all times. Vested interests should always be eliminated. It should be stressed that trade relations are not one-way streets. It is more of a symbiotic process. US-Poland Trade References
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