Boycott American businesses operating in Mexico

[doncoulter]

I am not a fan of Walmart, in Mexico or anywhere. However, anyone thinking to boycott Mexican Walmarts on the grounds that they're "American businesses" should be aware of a few facts:

1. Walmarts in Mexico are not "American businesses," at least not entirely. All Walmart stores in Mexico are owned by Walmart de México y Centroamérica. This was originally a Mexican-owned company called Cifra. It is now 60 percent owned by the U.S.-based multinational Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.--but that also means that 40% of it is not owned by U.S. Wal-Mart. Since the company is publicly traded (i.e., it's on the Mexican stock exchange), it's not easy to say who owns that 40%. But surely many if not most of those owners are Mexican companies and individuals.

2. Walmart de México is the largest employer in Mexico outside of the government, with more than 200,000 employees. Even a partially successful boycott would cost some Mexicans their jobs. It might also hurt Mexican consumers, as jesm points out.

3. A thorough boycott of "American businesses" would also require one to avoid most travel by automobile, including taxis, since half or more of the gasoline sold in Mexico is refined in the United States.

A question: Do those who advocate "boycott[ing] American businesses operating in Mexico" also intend to boycott American businesses operating in the U.S.? Some members of this forum frequently post about shipping items by Amazon to U.S. addresses. Will they now boycott all U.S. retailers? What about Amazon? What about U.S. banks? What about PayPal?

As for Carl's Jr., its CEO, Andrew Putz--I mean Puzder--has not yet been confirmed as secretary of labor, so one can hope that the Senate develops a moral sensibility and a spine. But I would boycott Carl's Jr. anyway, for two reasons: (1) its history of unfair labor practices, and (2) who wants to eat that shit?