Mangoes for Motorcycles?

By JULIETTE ROSSANT Thomas Friedman proudly proclaimed the new "green" in his article in The New York Times Sunday Magazine, "The Power of Green." Now, imagine how the rest of the world digests the news next day that India and the US agree to an export deal: mangoes for motorcycles. On the face of it, that sounds awfully wonderful. Americans -- not just ex-patriate Indians -- will benefit from the importation of India's bounty of exotic mangoes. Think of the great dishes, drinks and desserts to be made from these luscious fruit. It will help Indian farmers by opening up a new market for their produce and start to break down America's unfair protectionist position. But what about the other side of the equation? The Indians have agreed to lower their emissions standards to allow for direct imports of Harley-Davidsons. Is that very green of either side? Wouldn't it be better to choose to export some delicacy from the US in exchange, rather than allowing these polluting machines into India? Let the Harley-Davidson Company figure out for themselves how to meet Indian emission standards and let us send them something else. What could we offer them? Oranges? Apples? Perhaps some rare peaches? There are still some details to work out, such as lowering the 90% tariffs. Super Chef wants to hear from readers: what do you think? Please leave comments (below). Previous articles: Mangoes Gone Nuclear Indian Chefs on Indian Mangoes Mangoes & Curry Leaves: Traveling Cookbook [Chefs & Politics - complete] Technorati Tags: superchefblog, Juliette Rossant, super chef, celebrities, chefs, food, restaurants, cooking, branding, cuisine, blogging, food blogging, mangoes,Harley-Davidson --> back to Super Chef