07-28-2021, 01:37 AM
(Joint post with Shuell)
The Attendant to the Empress calmly looked through the list of contacts that the Office of the Golden Chamber maintained, until she found the one that the Empress had requested. Humming a Xiomeran pop song under her breath, she dialed the number. When the other end answered, she assumed her official and businesslike demeanor, letting the person know that the Empress was requesting to speak with the Director of Trade of Shuell.
Following a short waiting period as the operators processed her request, the Director of Trade finally answered, picking up the phone. "This is Director Bernd Klein. Who am I speaking to, currently?"
”Good morning, Director. This is Empress Calhualyana of Xiomera,” she replied, putting her most charming voice on. “I hope I am not calling you at a bad time.”
A pause occurred as Klein, on the other side of the phone, searched for a piece of a paper and pen. "No, no. I'm merely - doing a bit of housecleaning at the moment, nothing major. What is it you would like to discuss? Something to do with trade, I'd hope."
”That was exactly what I had in mind,” Calhualyana replied with a smile. “As you know, Huenya just signed a big agreement with Laeral. This leaves me in a rather delicate position. Xiomera needs to expand its trade options. Shuell seems like a natural partner for us. I was hoping we could strike an agreement on expanded trade ties.”
"Considering how much aid the Directorate provided you, that would only make sense. For all our hopes, it's difficult for a nation to prosper without trading partners in some form or other - and gone are the days of colonial empires, I'm afraid."
”That is indeed true,” the Empress replied, doing her best to keep a tone of regret at the passing of old-school empires out of her voice. “I believe we could be of great benefit to each other. Xiomera would like to propose mutual investment and development programs, along with the opening up of our trade markets to each other. We would also like to raise the possibility of joint ventures to increase manufacturing, research and development in our respective states. Trade in resources would also be ideal - our former territories did supply a sizeable part of our manufacturing resources.”
Klein wrote quickly, jotting down any and all information he deemed important. "Yes, I see. I'll need to liaison with the Department of Corporate Interests, but I'm certain that many of our businesses would be glad to operate in your country. I believe that Watchtower has special interest in recruiting Xiomeran mercenaries for their operations - I don't suppose you'd be inclined to give their Marshal program legal jurisdiction, would you? They've seen success in many parts of the world."
Calhualyana thought for a moment. “Any such program would have to agree to liaison with Imperial security forces to operate in Xiomera, and would also have to agree to not do anything that could conflict with Imperial security forces or undermine Imperial authority. In practice, this would mean that if we tell them to not do something, we would expect that to be obeyed. But if we can agree on that, I think we can come to an understanding on this Marshal program.” Calhualyana paused. “While we have no such program here, we would hope that Xiomeran firms would have a similar leeway to operate in areas under your jurisdiction, with the same stipulations to follow local laws and orders of course.”
"That's to be expected, of course. The Marshal Program operates in a legal grey zone, but I'm sure that Watchtower would be willing to obey any restrictions placed on them in Xiomera." He paces, sending messages to other members of the Directorate while he talks. "I'm certain we can allow for that, although the exact terms would need to be negotiated on a case by case basis. The only real exception would be our territories in Vertansk, due to the nature of our occupation there - we're guests there, after all, and very well can't violate the treaties that gave us that land. If you'd like a referral, however, our ties to the Republican government there could be helpful."
”That would be perfectly acceptable to us,” Calhualyana said. “As for Watchtower, they have done good work for us in the past and we may well utilize their services ourselves again in the future.” The Empress paused to look over another item on her agenda. “As for trade in resources, is that something which would be acceptable to your government?”
"Despite the best efforts of both our scientists and the Agri-Grow corporation, Shuell's agricultural sector can be generously described as 'lacking' - there's a reason why our diets contain so much lichen and artificial foods. Any produce that could be imported would be greatly appreciated, although joint research on genetically modified crops would be useful as well. Now - how can we help you? I'm certain there's something - oil, electronics, steel?"
”We would be more than happy to work with you on developing GMO crops that would work well in Shuell. We have a lot of experience in bioengineering crops. We can also provide produce and foodstuffs in abundance - we have a fortunate climate for growing and producing food. In return, we could use raw materials for production for our manufacturing industries. Oil, ores, minerals, that sort of thing.”
"Oil would be no issue to us - we have several offshore oil platforms operating in the area surrounding the islands. We'll be able to provide you a steady source of minerals extracted both from the home islands and Vertansk. Despite the changes in Monolith's leadership over the last few years, I'm confident that they'd be willing to provide consultants and other advisors if need be - they all have a stake in seeing Xiomera succeed, after all. Consider it an investment." He said the last sentence in a light, joking tone, making a mental note to talk to Hoffman later.
”That would work very well for us,” Calhualyana said. “Now, the final pieces of the puzzle. We’re prepared to drop any tariffs on Shuellian goods, if you’re willing to do the same for Xiomeran goods. We also seek joint ventures. I can imagine you wouldn’t want to just let Xiomeran corporations begin selling in Shuell without controls - we probably wouldn’t want the reverse here either, to be fair. But we propose joint ventures between Xiomeran and Shuellian corporations to begin marketing and selling products in each other’s markets. Such ventures would benefit us both by allowing Shuellian corporations to sell in Xiomera with the strength of a trusted local name linked to their products, and vice-versa. This would open up brand new markets for both of us, creating jobs and revenue. Does that sound like something you could agree to?”
"Despite my best efforts to promote free trade, Shuell's practiced protectionism for decades, and mercantilism before that. I'd be happy to push for a lowering of tariffs on Xiomeran goods - if nothing else, it'll increase our economic growth. As for the idea you propose - while I can't do much without consulting the Board of Corporate Interests, I personally have little issue with it. In return, I'll see about lowering restrictions on both emigration and general travel to Xiomera, with the assumption that you will do the same in return. I'd need to talk to the other directors about that, of course -" He chuckled nervously at the thought of talking to Director Mueller before continuing. "- but I believe that would also facilitate better relations between our nations. I'm certain it'd be a very attractive vacationing spot for a lot of us."
”I believe it would be as well. We will match any lowering of restrictions or tariffs that you enact, naturally. I am hopeful that your Board will agree to our proposal in regards to joint ventures. But I do believe we have at least the beginning of a good framework here.”
He nodded. "I'm confident they will. If this goes well, of course, we can see about even more cooperation in the future. Will that be all, or is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
”I believe we have accomplished quite a bit for today,” Calhualyana said with a soft chuckle. “I look forward to your final decision on everything, and if you or your government need anything, please do not hesitate to contact us.”
"Of course. Have a nice day." As he hung up, Klein slumped into his chair, exhaling. "I need a drink."
The Attendant to the Empress calmly looked through the list of contacts that the Office of the Golden Chamber maintained, until she found the one that the Empress had requested. Humming a Xiomeran pop song under her breath, she dialed the number. When the other end answered, she assumed her official and businesslike demeanor, letting the person know that the Empress was requesting to speak with the Director of Trade of Shuell.
Following a short waiting period as the operators processed her request, the Director of Trade finally answered, picking up the phone. "This is Director Bernd Klein. Who am I speaking to, currently?"
”Good morning, Director. This is Empress Calhualyana of Xiomera,” she replied, putting her most charming voice on. “I hope I am not calling you at a bad time.”
A pause occurred as Klein, on the other side of the phone, searched for a piece of a paper and pen. "No, no. I'm merely - doing a bit of housecleaning at the moment, nothing major. What is it you would like to discuss? Something to do with trade, I'd hope."
”That was exactly what I had in mind,” Calhualyana replied with a smile. “As you know, Huenya just signed a big agreement with Laeral. This leaves me in a rather delicate position. Xiomera needs to expand its trade options. Shuell seems like a natural partner for us. I was hoping we could strike an agreement on expanded trade ties.”
"Considering how much aid the Directorate provided you, that would only make sense. For all our hopes, it's difficult for a nation to prosper without trading partners in some form or other - and gone are the days of colonial empires, I'm afraid."
”That is indeed true,” the Empress replied, doing her best to keep a tone of regret at the passing of old-school empires out of her voice. “I believe we could be of great benefit to each other. Xiomera would like to propose mutual investment and development programs, along with the opening up of our trade markets to each other. We would also like to raise the possibility of joint ventures to increase manufacturing, research and development in our respective states. Trade in resources would also be ideal - our former territories did supply a sizeable part of our manufacturing resources.”
Klein wrote quickly, jotting down any and all information he deemed important. "Yes, I see. I'll need to liaison with the Department of Corporate Interests, but I'm certain that many of our businesses would be glad to operate in your country. I believe that Watchtower has special interest in recruiting Xiomeran mercenaries for their operations - I don't suppose you'd be inclined to give their Marshal program legal jurisdiction, would you? They've seen success in many parts of the world."
Calhualyana thought for a moment. “Any such program would have to agree to liaison with Imperial security forces to operate in Xiomera, and would also have to agree to not do anything that could conflict with Imperial security forces or undermine Imperial authority. In practice, this would mean that if we tell them to not do something, we would expect that to be obeyed. But if we can agree on that, I think we can come to an understanding on this Marshal program.” Calhualyana paused. “While we have no such program here, we would hope that Xiomeran firms would have a similar leeway to operate in areas under your jurisdiction, with the same stipulations to follow local laws and orders of course.”
"That's to be expected, of course. The Marshal Program operates in a legal grey zone, but I'm sure that Watchtower would be willing to obey any restrictions placed on them in Xiomera." He paces, sending messages to other members of the Directorate while he talks. "I'm certain we can allow for that, although the exact terms would need to be negotiated on a case by case basis. The only real exception would be our territories in Vertansk, due to the nature of our occupation there - we're guests there, after all, and very well can't violate the treaties that gave us that land. If you'd like a referral, however, our ties to the Republican government there could be helpful."
”That would be perfectly acceptable to us,” Calhualyana said. “As for Watchtower, they have done good work for us in the past and we may well utilize their services ourselves again in the future.” The Empress paused to look over another item on her agenda. “As for trade in resources, is that something which would be acceptable to your government?”
"Despite the best efforts of both our scientists and the Agri-Grow corporation, Shuell's agricultural sector can be generously described as 'lacking' - there's a reason why our diets contain so much lichen and artificial foods. Any produce that could be imported would be greatly appreciated, although joint research on genetically modified crops would be useful as well. Now - how can we help you? I'm certain there's something - oil, electronics, steel?"
”We would be more than happy to work with you on developing GMO crops that would work well in Shuell. We have a lot of experience in bioengineering crops. We can also provide produce and foodstuffs in abundance - we have a fortunate climate for growing and producing food. In return, we could use raw materials for production for our manufacturing industries. Oil, ores, minerals, that sort of thing.”
"Oil would be no issue to us - we have several offshore oil platforms operating in the area surrounding the islands. We'll be able to provide you a steady source of minerals extracted both from the home islands and Vertansk. Despite the changes in Monolith's leadership over the last few years, I'm confident that they'd be willing to provide consultants and other advisors if need be - they all have a stake in seeing Xiomera succeed, after all. Consider it an investment." He said the last sentence in a light, joking tone, making a mental note to talk to Hoffman later.
”That would work very well for us,” Calhualyana said. “Now, the final pieces of the puzzle. We’re prepared to drop any tariffs on Shuellian goods, if you’re willing to do the same for Xiomeran goods. We also seek joint ventures. I can imagine you wouldn’t want to just let Xiomeran corporations begin selling in Shuell without controls - we probably wouldn’t want the reverse here either, to be fair. But we propose joint ventures between Xiomeran and Shuellian corporations to begin marketing and selling products in each other’s markets. Such ventures would benefit us both by allowing Shuellian corporations to sell in Xiomera with the strength of a trusted local name linked to their products, and vice-versa. This would open up brand new markets for both of us, creating jobs and revenue. Does that sound like something you could agree to?”
"Despite my best efforts to promote free trade, Shuell's practiced protectionism for decades, and mercantilism before that. I'd be happy to push for a lowering of tariffs on Xiomeran goods - if nothing else, it'll increase our economic growth. As for the idea you propose - while I can't do much without consulting the Board of Corporate Interests, I personally have little issue with it. In return, I'll see about lowering restrictions on both emigration and general travel to Xiomera, with the assumption that you will do the same in return. I'd need to talk to the other directors about that, of course -" He chuckled nervously at the thought of talking to Director Mueller before continuing. "- but I believe that would also facilitate better relations between our nations. I'm certain it'd be a very attractive vacationing spot for a lot of us."
”I believe it would be as well. We will match any lowering of restrictions or tariffs that you enact, naturally. I am hopeful that your Board will agree to our proposal in regards to joint ventures. But I do believe we have at least the beginning of a good framework here.”
He nodded. "I'm confident they will. If this goes well, of course, we can see about even more cooperation in the future. Will that be all, or is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
”I believe we have accomplished quite a bit for today,” Calhualyana said with a soft chuckle. “I look forward to your final decision on everything, and if you or your government need anything, please do not hesitate to contact us.”
"Of course. Have a nice day." As he hung up, Klein slumped into his chair, exhaling. "I need a drink."
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