Damn Protectionist Bush!!!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Not sure what you mean by "more moderate"; anyone the LP puts up as a candidate is going to be a hard-core libertarian, almost by definition. I do hope that we can find one who'll run a better campaign than Browne did.

I mean someone that doesn't campaign under the foolish, moronic platform of eliminating income taxes. You know, stuff like that.

[Ramo]

Did you expect his rhetoric about taking down "bariffs and terriers" anything other than empty?

Still, tariffs are small potatoes compared to non-tariffal trade barriers, which few politicians, Republican or Democrat, suggest taking down.

[Ramo]

Could someone address the possible use of subsidies and dumping by foreign steel, that these tariffs could've been reacting to?

Trade wars are bad. They lead to nasty things like the Great Depression.

[KrazyHorse]

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui
But of course..

Oh, interestingly the steel tariffs aren't on developing nations (or Canada and Mexico... which may be the same thing ). At least he put that in.

Damn those unions! They make me mad

Under NAFTA, if he'd tried to impose illegal tariffs on our steel exports at the same time as he was doing so to our softwood lumber exports we would have the legal right (and obligation) to "stuff him full of bees, pull up a lawn-chair and enjoy the show" (Sec. 9, Par. 3A).

As well, the developing nations he's exempted export minuscule amount of steel to the US, so he gets to look generous while not giving up anything substantive.

So, when can we expect you to force us to bring suit in front of the WTO and win our 5th straight decision on lumber? Apparently your trade secretary doesn't even bother returning our minister's phone calls...

[kolpo]

Originally posted by faded glory



Lots of european Industries are subsidized bye there governments as are American agriculture. That is of course, also unfair. But the US steel industries are in deep crises. It may pass. But I dont think so. In the end, they just may go broke. Steel from Asia is ****loads Cheaper, and European steel is moderately price. With us out of the Steel game soon, we should now watch those two go at it.


edit: I do agree this is against capitalism.

Well even if the whole steel industry goes bankrupth is that still in the long run better.

Because that way will every country be forced to do the industries it is the best or cheapest in, that will reduce the price and raise the quality of the goods produced world wide. Which means more productivity and more wealth.

Also don't forget that the American companies who make products from steel will have to pay more for there steel because of those tariffs, that will place them in an unfair possition towards the foreignt manufactures who can get there steel cheaper.

[Imran Siddiqui]

Still, tariffs are small potatoes compared to non-tariffal trade barriers, which few politicians, Republican or Democrat, suggest taking down.

Some non-tariff barriers are not something a lot of people would want to get rid of (such as safety requirements for products, etc.).

[Ramo]

Some non-tariff barriers are not something a lot of people would want to get rid of (such as safety requirements for products, etc.).

I'm more referring to barriers such as trade quotas.

[Bereta_Eder]

Re: Damn Protectionist Bush!!!

Originally posted by Imran Siddiqui


Bush just raised tariffs on steel by (I think) 30% to 'protect domestic steel producers. The EU is definetly going to retaliate, as is Japan, Brazil and China.

What a stupid move, and what makes it worse is Bush was saying he's committed to free trade!

MY ASS HE IS!

This has been a long way coming.

Trade wars were very frequent during the democrats too.

But Bush seems to be a hard cookie, tries to hit the knife with his fist you could say...

Anyway US and EU had been discussing about this for almost 2 years now and Bush comes along and *puff* any negotioation is destroyed and he just slams the tarifs on the table


Ok, I have to say this, he's a cowboy yes?

Seriously, no extreme harm done. the US has been using protectionist policies since day 1. It shows more now because they europeans are in a very strong position to relaliate.

I believe that the US is still searching for a way to deal with this new beast called the EU on what regards economic matters.


Bush reacted his usual way.

EU will retaliate.

But it is not the first time... trade wars between the two "power blocks" have been going on for much longer.

the WTO has ruled on quite a few of them (and IIRC the US has lost most of them...)


I mean there was an 100% tarrif on all sorts of things from european cheese to leather

But yes steel is much more serious.

Oh well, eventually we will reach a balance and sort these things amicably I hope.

[Makeo]

bad job, Bush. Acting like a demo...

(GPhere)

[Bereta_Eder]

HI GP!

how's the shoulder?

[Makeo]

slowly getting better.

I can still work and ski. Just can't use poles yet.

[KrazyHorse]

Whatcha working at?

[DanS]

This decision sucks and it points towards more BS protectionist farm bills. I just hope Bush was smart enough to get as much or more value out of Senator Byrd in order to do it.

[Roland]

The EU has eliminated most steel subsidies during the 90s, and the industry has restructured. There's still overcapacity, but restructuring and mergers go on. The Usinor+Aceralia+?? merger will create a 40 million tons company. Betsie is at... 5 ? 8 ? Not sure. When I looked for their revenue nrs, wasn't much above that of Austrian Alpine, which is a small highly specialised steelmaker.

So maybe a bit of market action wouldn't hurt the US for once.

[Sikander]

Originally posted by KrazyHorse

So, when can we expect you to force us to bring suit in front of the WTO and win our 5th straight decision on lumber? Apparently your trade secretary doesn't even bother returning our minister's phone calls...

In fairness he was confused and a bit intimidated about taking a call from the "Minister of Wood".