JEDDAH, 27 February 2003 — The war against Iraq is expected to raise new calls for the boycott of US products as a protest against American policy in the Middle East.
While campaigners stress the positive effects of a boycott, it has come under fire from local trade watchers for harming the local economy.
In interview with Arab News, Michael McGee, commercial attache at the US Commercial Service Center in Jeddah, confirmed his belief that local business was bearing the brunt of the boycott’s effect.
“By looking at trade statistics, especially regarding items which are considered boycott items like vehicles, you will see that the volume went up from $630.1 million to $720.5 million in 2002,” McGee said.
“US exports to the Kingdom decreased in 2002 by nearly a billion dollars, but if you look at the statistics closely it’s clear that most of that number falls into the aircraft category from $1,385.6 million to $251.8 million, due to the big aircraft deal that was done a year earlier.”
Other items, like electrical machinery and equipment, rose from $337.6 million to $375.9 million.
“Businessmen who import American products told me that they have seen weeks of slow trade because of the boycott, but then consumers go back because they are looking for the best quality. Business people cannot afford to be political: They focus on the quality of the imported items,” he added.
McGee said Saudi Arabia was the US’ 24th biggest trade partner 2001, moving up to 23rd in 2002, which he called “a good sign” for trade analysts on both sides, particularly given the slow world economy at the moment.
“I believe that the impact (of the boycott) was mainly on the Saudi economy and Saudi jobs: Farmers, suppliers and advertisers.
“So the people who are trying to deliver a message through this boycott — which we believe in America they have the right to do — are not getting their message across. If they really want to create an impact here they should look for another way because mainly they’re harming the Saudi economy and Saudi jobs.”
Boycotters believe that even if they are harming local companies in the short term, in the long run these businesses will stop importing American products. However, McGee said, “if you are in the business field you want the best, and this theory is superficial. If they really want to send a message they should look for another way. The best computers are American computers, so if people think they are hurting America they are wrong.”
Moreover, the boycott is being echoed in the US, McGee said.
“I got an alarming e-mail recently. There are calls in the United States to boycott Saudi gasoline. I think it’s absurd, and I don’t think it will be effective either.”
McGee stressed the importance of the long-term relationship between the Kingdom and the US over differences in the last couple of years, adding the hope that “smart investors will continue to import good quality products that have the American flag behind it.”
