Where is the side letter?
08-07-2007, 11:24 AM
#21
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Aug 2006
Position: leaning to the left
Posts: 4,184
...
In the late 80s I read an interesting book which spoke about the differences in US and Japanese trade negogiation teams.
The US team was typically led by some type of political appointee, who had some knowledge of the issues but was not a professional, lifelong negogiator. He had aides sitting at the table with more specific, expert knowledge on the issues, but typically they were not bilingual and still may have only been on the team 4-6 yrs.
Across the table sat the Japanese. They had a huge deep bench, with literally 3 to 4 times as many people. All had training in English and would have to study from the back row for years before they could slowly work their way to the table.
Supposedly, the Japanese were masters of bringing up old trade issues that had been resolved many years earlier, issues that the American side had no recollection of due to their lack of depth sitting around the table.
The Japanese would concede on many of these "old issues", but then demand and receive a US concession on a more "current" issue.
In affect the Japanese were masters of starting the negogiations from a point below the current agreements (...is this sounding familiar yet?)
The author's point was the only way the US was going to negogiate on a level playing field was to stop putting political appointees in charge --- and to develop a cadre of professional, bilingual, experienced negogiators.
More food for thought regardless of the outcome of this LOA....
In the late 80s I read an interesting book which spoke about the differences in US and Japanese trade negogiation teams.
The US team was typically led by some type of political appointee, who had some knowledge of the issues but was not a professional, lifelong negogiator. He had aides sitting at the table with more specific, expert knowledge on the issues, but typically they were not bilingual and still may have only been on the team 4-6 yrs.
Across the table sat the Japanese. They had a huge deep bench, with literally 3 to 4 times as many people. All had training in English and would have to study from the back row for years before they could slowly work their way to the table.
Supposedly, the Japanese were masters of bringing up old trade issues that had been resolved many years earlier, issues that the American side had no recollection of due to their lack of depth sitting around the table.
The Japanese would concede on many of these "old issues", but then demand and receive a US concession on a more "current" issue.
In affect the Japanese were masters of starting the negogiations from a point below the current agreements (...is this sounding familiar yet?)
The author's point was the only way the US was going to negogiate on a level playing field was to stop putting political appointees in charge --- and to develop a cadre of professional, bilingual, experienced negogiators.
More food for thought regardless of the outcome of this LOA....
Maybe we could start with that law firm in the John Grisham book.
Seriously though...I think your idea has merit.
Last edited by Busboy; 08-07-2007 at 11:41 AM.
08-07-2007, 11:56 AM
#22
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: May 2007
Position: FDX Airbus F/O
Posts: 152
Then again, if Adam Sandler shows up as our new NC Chairman, I'm heading to the liquor store...
Last edited by Boom Boom; 08-07-2007 at 11:56 AM. Reason: typo
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