We have a $240 Billion dollar trade deficit with the EU. Yes you read that correctly, that is $240 Billion. Roughly $700 for every man, woman and child in the USA. The EU Commission President addressed their members yesterday and told them a lot of things. One thing she didn't mention is the trade deficit by the EU. That would be telling the truth to her constituents and God knows we can't have that.
She basically had veiled threats of retaliation and tried to backhand Trump for forcing them to even entertain such things as their massive abuse of American producers. We are but little peon's to the liberal European elites. Our pocketbooks and fairness should not matter to us, only the EU matters.
Two revealing points she made:
1) They are ready to negotiate. She knows Trump is serious and she knows Trump is right to protect and promote fair trade. Many wine importers here in the states have already cancelled orders and that is why this European elite bitch is addressing the issue.
2) At the verrrrry bottom of her statement she addresses trade restrictions in her own union and how it is hurting their economy as a group. It's Just so hypocritical I can't even believe the elitist bitch thought it was a good idea to talk about their own tariffs that need to be eradicated while spending the bulk of her speech admonishing Trump for trying to do the same fucking thing.
The most ironical thing about this correction on trade that needed to happen 30 years ago, is that democrats are against it.
When the dream of a united Europe began, it started with a simple idea: Let us create one Single Market. Let us break barriers and take tariffs down. This is what made us strong. Because our companies grew. And so did the ties that bind us together. And then in the same spirit, we worked with partners across the world – including America. We built connections that we believed were unbreakable. And trade brought more than prosperity. It brought the idea of a shared way of life. And with commerce, our partnership has also grown. Countless are the friendships across the Atlantic. And because of this collective experience, so many Europeans feel utterly disheartened by the announcements from the US. Let me be clear: Europe did not start this confrontation. We think it is wrong. But my message to you today is also that we have everything we need to protect our people and our prosperity. We have the largest Single Market in the world. We have the strength to negotiate. We have the power to push back. And the people of Europe should know: Together we will always promote and defend our interests and values. And we will always stand up for our Europe.
According to the IMF, Europe's internal market barriers are equivalent to a tariff of 45% for manufacturing and 110% for services.
This simply cannot be. This must change now. That is why I have tasked EVP Séjourné to come up with concrete and bold proposals next month to remove some of these barriers and prevent new ones. These reforms are overdue. And now they have become more urgent than ever. In a stormy global economy, the Single Market is our safe harbour. Thirty years after Jacques Delors laid its first stone, it is time to finish the job.
Comments
Europe did start this confrontation, to be clear.
Tough talk before absolutely getting your ass kicked in a trade war.
Of ffs. I like Harris Faulkner. But I’ve been writing about the fallacy of “moral equivalent of war” arguments for three decades. This is a ridiculous argument in every particular. We are not at war with our allied trading partners. Not even a little. Beyond that, the assumption here is that it is obvious things will dramatically and broadly improve for those 401K owners once we get through “the bumpy period.” Zero evidence for that. Lots of evidence against it. There is no reason to carry water for Trump on this nonsense. - Jonah
Nonsense?
Its working. No wonder you hate it
The Good Recession
My new French corporate overlords are scrambling behind the scenes to send more production orders to their New Jersey plant instead of producing in France to service the US market which is over 50% of their worldwide sales. It is working.
You don't care about a recession Alice
Also threatened to raise wholesale prices on a large Canadian customer over their collapsing currency. Got them to agree to a 1% reduction in prices but now everything is in USD and they own the inventory as it leaves our warehouse, which means they now own D&C and freight which is worth a lot more than 1%. These 2nd world countries are folding left and right in the real economy.
Payback will be a bitch.
But on the bright side, you and I don't have that much time left.
Perhaps. Use leverage when you have it. Hold serve when you don’t have it. All I’ve ever wanted from a President.
Lol European "payback" can't be much worse than being their "friend".
Yeah, the US has suffered so much being friends with Europe.
#Fucktards
What exactly have we gotten out of this relationship in the last 20 years that justifies being ripped off by them?
Election interference and corruption of our political class.
All while guarding their energy trade routes.
And getting condescended to while subsidizing their lifestyles.
Oh right, and getting shit on in the UN/internationally.
We got a liberated Libya, helped reestablish slavery in Libya and armed ISIS. A beautiful trifecta if there ever was one.
If you don't take into account the massive trade imbalance and the the half million dead American soldiers you might have a point but as usual, your perspective is horribly fucked up.
Dazzlerdiscounting all the European WWII deaths as nothing. Telling.
Annnnddd countries are already caving. That took long.