europe threatening sanctions

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2003-05-07 03:32pm

http://news.yahoo.com/fc?tmpl=fc&cid=34 ... &cat=trade

for some reason, I am highly amused.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-05-07 03:35pm

I just love how they threaten sanctions over Boeing receiving a tax break; while it was perfectly fine that Airbus received billions in direct cash subsidies for years.

Enforcer Talen · Post by **Enforcer Talen** » 2003-05-07 03:37pm

quite.

David · Post by **David** » 2003-05-07 03:50pm

Oh boo hoo it's not like any company in Europe could stay afloat without direct government help.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-07 03:54pm

Can some one explain to me how and why the Europeans are our friends. I'm afraid I've missed it.

And I love the hypocrisy of Europe. They bitch, moan, and make threats about US behaviour and say how bad we are then turn around and do what we do.

Oberleutnant · Post by **Oberleutnant** » 2003-05-07 04:21pm

Sea Skimmer wrote:I just love how they threaten sanctions over Boeing receiving a tax break; while it was perfectly fine that Airbus received billions in direct cash subsidies for years.

Yes, and Boeing together with US gov complained about it. Especially the situation with the new super jumbo was considered unfair. Now that EU takes a similar stand... Oh, nevermind.

David wrote:Oh boo hoo it's not like any company in Europe could stay afloat without direct government help.

Hey, thanks a lot!

WTF is with this rising anti-Europeanism here? I guess Iraq War still affects people's mindsets.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-07 04:25pm

WTF is with this rising anti-Europeanism here? I guess Iraq War still affects people's mindsets.

I can't speak for other but I'm disgusted by the hypocrisy of a lot of the European nations with regards to the US. The Iraq war brought a lot of that to a head to be sure. But really it all comes down to their behaviour and annoying hypocrisy.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-05-07 04:36pm

David wrote:Oh boo hoo it's not like any company in Europe could stay afloat without direct government help.

Suuuuuure...

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-05-07 04:39pm

It is quite amusing to see the people who gave accountants the Concorde fallacy and subsidize an unprofitable sector of the economy to an enormous extent (far greater than anything America has ever done) criticize anything that America does in relation to economic policy.

This is going to hurt Europe just as much as it hurts America, but that won't matter because anti-business splooging is more important than having a good economy.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-05-07 04:39pm

It is not a purely EU issue.
There was a decision from the WTO, which the US are a member, and so far failed to abide by that decision.
So the EU is fully justified to impose sanctions.

TheDarkling · Post by **TheDarkling** » 2003-05-07 04:40pm

Yeah because governmental hypocrisy is soley a trait of European governments

.

The EU saw something they thought was unfair and complained to the proper authority (the WTO) who ruled in the EU's favour now the EU has given the US 5 months to show improvement or they start sanctions which they are within their legal right to do.

If the US doesn't like something the EU does they can complain to the WTO and have done in the past, but I guess that’s ok.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-07 04:42pm

So the EU is fully justified to impose sanctions.

Because only the EU has the right to economic protectionism.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-05-07 04:43pm

TheDarkling wrote:Yeah because governmental hypocrisy is soley a trait of European governments .

The EU saw something they thought was unfair and complained to the proper authority (the WTO) who ruled in the EU's favour now the EU has given the US 5 months to show improvement or they start sanctions which they are within their legal right to do.

If the US doesn't like something the EU does they can complain to the WTO and have done in the past, but I guess that?s ok.

But they're stupid sanctions and are clearly motivated by political interests rather than a desire to actually do good for the European economy. Any economist worth his salt will tell you that placing restrictions on trade between two economies as entwined as America's and Europe's is not going to be a good idea.

TheDarkling · Post by **TheDarkling** » 2003-05-07 04:46pm

Stormbringer wrote:
So the EU is fully justified to impose sanctions.
Because only the EU has the right to economic protectionism.

Ermm hello? this is an action in response to what the WTO ruled was essentially US protectionism.

Durran Korr: See what I just said.

Plus this quote.

"This is part of the process, and the EC is acting within their rights," a spokesman said, adding that the USTR was working on the US Congress to try to get the tax changes enacted.

Dahak · Post by **Dahak** » 2003-05-07 04:48pm

Stormbringer wrote:
So the EU is fully justified to impose sanctions.
Because only the EU has the right to economic protectionism.

No, they're just acting according to a standing decision of the WTO.

Aeolus · Post by **Aeolus** » 2003-05-07 04:50pm

Stormbringer wrote:
WTF is with this rising anti-Europeanism here? I guess Iraq War still affects people's mindsets.
I can't speak for other but I'm disgusted by the hypocrisy of a lot of the European nations with regards to the US. The Iraq war brought a lot of that to a head to be sure. But really it all comes down to their behaviour and annoying hypocrisy.

The more interesting question; Will it peak soon or evolve into real rivalry?

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-05-07 04:51pm

No, tax breaks are not economic protectionism, tax breaks are tax breaks. And they certainly don't compare with 100 percent duties on American goods.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-05-07 04:52pm

The more interesting question; Will it peak soon or evolve into real rivalry?

Depends on how far the protectionist wanking goes (which the U.S. is just as guilty of, with our lovely steel tariffs).

Oddity · Post by **Oddity** » 2003-05-07 04:53pm

Stormbringer wrote:Can some one explain to me how and why the Europeans are our friends. I'm afraid I've missed it.

And I love the hypocrisy of Europe. They bitch, moan, and make threats about US behaviour and say how bad we are then turn around and do what we do.

The Price of Opposition

Hypocrisy, Stormbringer? Did you say hypocrisy? When the Iraq War began the public opinion seemed to be something like: "France screwed us over, so now we can screw them over." Frankly, I don't think the US is in a position to whine.

And can you explain to me why the US should remain our allies?

TheDarkling · Post by **TheDarkling** » 2003-05-07 04:53pm

Durran Korr wrote:No, tax breaks are not economic protectionism, tax breaks are tax breaks. And they certainly don't compare with 100 percent duties on American goods.

Well the EU says it amounts to an illegal expost subsidy and the WTO agrees, I assume you will explain why these two are wrong.

Joe · Post by **Joe** » 2003-05-07 04:58pm

I need to know their rationalization for writing off tax breaks as an illegal export subsidy first (which the article doesn't really explain).

And can you explain to me why the US should remain our allies?

Because our economies are mutually beneficial to one another. And furthermore, we're not ready to tell all of Europe to go to hell just because we're a little pissed off at France for telling us to fuck off on a regular basis.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-07 04:59pm

Crazy Ivan wrote:

The Price of Opposition

Hypocrisy, Stormbringer? Did you say hypocrisy? When the Iraq War began the public opinion seemed to be something like: "France screwed us over, so now we can screw them over." Frankly, I don't think the US is in a position to whine.

And can you explain to me why the US should remain our allies?

Yeah? So?

France and Germany pissed people off by lecturing us about morality while doing everything they could to keep Saddam in power for their own selfish reasons. So people decided to express their displeasure in a tangible fashion. Is it mean, yup, but it's flat out honest. Piss us off and you'll know it.

Besides, my point was addressed to the "anti-Europe" sentinments on the board. I'm not a boycotter and I'm explaining why I am some what peeved at the governments of Europe.

And your link doesn't work as I'm not a subscriber.

Post by **Sea Skimmer** » 2003-05-07 05:02pm

Oberleutnant wrote:
Yes, and Boeing together with US gov complained about it. Especially the situation with the new super jumbo was considered unfair. Now that EU takes a similar stand... Oh, nevermind.

I don't recall the US imposing sanctions aginst France. Now what was your point?

Oberleutnant · Post by **Oberleutnant** » 2003-05-07 05:03pm

You don't need to be a subscriber to read that article.

Stormbringer · Post by **Stormbringer** » 2003-05-07 05:04pm

Ermm hello? this is an action in response to what the WTO ruled was essentially US protectionism.

So? And European's haven't done similar things for their businesses for years? Hell, Europe's done more in terms of protectionism than the US has.

And as for it being the WTO's will? Well, all that proves is you can muster a lot of votes. That proves nothing but the popularity of the sentiment.