EU retaliation in steel war.

[Saint Marcus]

It was rather predictable that the EU would also impose tarrifs on steel imports, after the US imposed theirs. That's only fair.

However, on top of that (as Time reports), the EU is preparing a further list of tarrifs aimed specifically at American products, even those unrelated to steel (including orange juice and motor cycles). From Time: the tarrifs would hit goods in the hotly-contested "swing states" that Bush will need to win the next election.

Of course, the tarrifs won't actually have much of an effect on wether or not Bush will get re-elected. But still it's a pretty bold political move, which clearly shows that the EU does not want Bush in office.

What's next? Freezing Bush' overseas assets, or restricting his freedom to travel?

Anyway, the thing is that I'm rather surprised at these "political" sanctions that seem to be aimed directly at Bush, and not the US as a whole. Does anyone know if they've ever done such a thing before in previous trade wars?

[Eli]

Why are you escalating the conflict?!

[Kyle]

Let it be said, that I do disagree with the tariffs Bush enacted. But, Bush could spin these selective response of the EU. He could say the EU is taking this personal and trying to hurt the American people in those states and call for reduced purchases of items from the EU. Or get the local Republicans out to do it themselves.



But really, does the EU have any basis for these tariffs? The ones enacted by Bush are supposedly covered by the WTO treaty, thus only action through the WTO should be allowed.

[Adam Smith]

which clearly shows that the EU does not want Bush in office.

Sorry, but I don't see that at all. Bush initiated tariffs which were motivated in part by his perceived domestic political considerations. The EU responded in kind, indicating they could play that game too. Doesn't mean EU wants Bush out of office, just that they don't like what he did. (And I can't say I blame them.)

[Ming]

The real sad part about all this is that Bush's moves were meant as a pay off for the steel workers that voted for him. And this isn't really going to help them one bit. There were far better options for helping them that wouldn't have pissed off the EU.

A bad move on Bush's part.

[Saint Marcus]

Sorry, but I don't see that at all.

Did you read? from Time: the tariffs would hit goods in the hotly-contested "swing states" that Bush will need to win the next election.

But really, does the EU have any basis for these tariffs? The ones enacted by Bush are supposedly covered by the WTO treaty, thus only action through the WTO should be allowed.

Bush tariffs aren't allowed by the WTO, or otherwise there's no reason why the EU, Brazil, Japan and China have filed a complained at the WTO. Also, the tariffs the EU is imposing are in the same category.

Plus, the reason for those additional tariffs is to get some money back from the US for income lost by EU steel factories. The EU requested the US to compensate the EU factories for their loss, but the US rejected this. So therefor, the tariffs are put in place.

Why are you escalating the conflict?!

Coming from an Israeli.

9.5/10

[Ecthy]

[Spink mode]

I know a solution to the steel conflict.

[Ecthy]

[/Spink mode]

to be quite honest, I find we're always right because we've been there longer.. europe that is, not the union

[TCO]

I am a proponent of unilateral free trade. Both Bush's steel tarrif and the EU tarrifs are harmful. The EU "response" is harmful to the EU. They would be better off not responding.

[Guynemer]

Adam Smith beat me to the punch on this one. Basically, it's just the EU saying, "Everything you can do, I can do better."

Certainly interesting, isn't it? The EU openly meddling in our internal politics like this. To be honest, as much as I loathe George II, I'm not sure I can approve of it. If Wiggums were around (or a related DL...), I'm sure he'd start calling them terrorists, it's time to commence bombing.

[Adam Smith]

St. Marcus:

Originally posted by Adam Smith
Doesn't mean EU wants Bush out of office, just that they don't like what he did.

Did you read? Can you understand teh distinction?

[Saint Marcus]

Doesn't mean EU wants Bush out of office, just that they don't like what he did.

Did you read? Can you understand teh distinction?

No

Why target key election states if the EU just doesn't like this particular decision made by Bush? Those states are specifically targetted as a statement that they don't want Bush to get re-elected.

[Ecthy]

Europa den Europäern, Amerikaner raus.

[TCO]

Who lubs you, little Oestie Andz?

[ZoboZeWarrior]

Originally posted by GP
I am a proponent of unilateral free trade. Both Bush's steel tarrif and the EU tarrifs are harmful. The EU "response" is harmful to the EU. They would be better off not responding.

We are already "harmed" ...