It would only be counter-productive for the EU to impose high tariffs of punitive trade restrictions. The cost of goods from the US would skyrocket for consumers in Europe if these geniuses impose trade sanctions. I don’t think it would be smart for the US to retaliate by imposing restrictions in return, I certainly wouldn’t vote for it, this is just vindictive policy that only hurts consumers. These guys from the EU, under the umbrella of the WTO, are only shooting themselves in the foot by trying to blackmail the US.

These the same Europeans that apply the world's biggest subsidies for their farmers? These the same Europeans whose governments pay directly for the development of commercial aircraft? Wow, the hypocricy.

LOL!

How amusing to think that our President saying "I'm Sorry" on the podium of (what else?) the UN council would change anything except make us hated AND pathetic.

Keep writing your funny jokes!

The only thing the UN seems to applaud is terrorism and terrorists.
In 1974, fresh from blowing up kindergartens filled with Jewish children, Arafat appeared at the UN to address the nations. Arafat delivered a violent, malignant speech; he received thunderous applause, lavish praise, and fanatical standing ovations. Solitaire suggests that this is a place for a US president to act apologetic.

Anthony - you mean in the same way that the steel import taffifs have pushed up the prices of all steel goods in the US?

I always find it interesting that when other countries get tired of the US flouting rules set by orginasitions that they cry foul, yet they feel totally justified in their own actions. Coming from a farming background, I am only too aware of the harm the US can do to a countries economys to benefit the lack of ability they posess to compet on a level playing field. Australia has no tarrifs , nor do we give subsidies or tax breaks to producers. Yet we manage to compete with the EU on all levels. The US needs to recognise that to compete with other countries they need to improve their ability in the market place, by improving productivity, not by paying for from tax payers money, money which could be spent on improving technology, productivity etc. The time has come for the US that it is no longer able to bully other countries into their will, this was born out this year in the UN.
The rest of the world is no beholden to the US.
The other fact that the US needs to understand is that the products and services they produce can be sourced from anywhere in the world, the US is not the only country that can produce products vital for other countries to exist, this may be a bitter pill to swallow, but the EU is not going to suffer without US products, the other point is that in most cases the balence of trade between the US and most other countries is firmly set in the favour of the US.
Sorry guys but the only way out for the US is to stop pointing the finger and have a close look at the unethicial behaviour of your Government in world trade and push them to a situation whereby they can produce apositive outcome for yourselves and the rest of the world.
It's not that long ago that when questioned by the world media about the need for the CIA, the then president Mr Clinton anounced that they can still be used to help keep the US competitive in world trade. If this is what you people call being a good citizen of the world then you are in for some big surprises in the future. This is the same President that when asked by one of his closest allies for help he advised that they were to stretched and advised Australia to sought it out for themselves, then while Indonesia (one of our major trading partners and closest neighbours) was still fuming at us for interfering in East Timor, made a trade visit to the said country to try and improve relations between the two nations, that being Indonesia and the US, remember we were one of the few countries that supported the US in Korea, Vietnam, Gulf war one and two. This is not the sought of behaviour that engenders trust in your allies. Nor does dumping your wheat in our markets, heavily subsidised wheat that is. I hope you are getting the picture, forget about Europe, there are many countries you may come to rely on again and next time they may not be so willing, especially when we get a bill for helping you guys out. Trust me guys even the patience of countries that do support you is wearing out, and it won't take much of a shift to push the relationship to terminal.
Getting back to the trade issue, you guys need to be aware that not only is the EU a threat, but you have what is potentially the worlds next superpower being created in China, this is a country which has one of the fastest growing economies in the world, and they do not care one bit about the US, as is evidenced by the fact that they are keeping their currency artifically low to make thier own exports very competitive, at the expense of the US. This is a country five times the size of the US in population, and they are proving that they can produce any product and service that you can only cheaper. A quick example being the joint project between Japan and China to produce an operating system for their growing IT/PC industry so they no longer need to use MS products,. Right next to them is India, traditionally not a close ally of the US, they too are becoming a world economic power under their own steam, again looking to themselves or other countries to supply themselves.
The rest of the world is learning this very quickly which is why you guys are loosing business to these countries, and they are also falling over each other to make trade agreements with these countries, evidenced by the fact that Australia has free trade agreements with many Asian countries, and with some we have most favoured status with them, with the technology that we all have today the world has become a much smaller place and as a result no one country can remain the centre of world trade, a good example of which is the fact that while you guys have just been through a recession, Australia and NewZealand and China have all continued to grow our economies. It's time to get your heads out of the sand and smell the roses guys, or the article below may become a reality.

There is nothing wrong with President Bush trying to help an American steel industry back on its feet by imposing tariffs on Euro steel, this is not vindictive policy it has a purpose.

I wish I could remember the sit but there was a statistic that showed that European goods overall have more subsidies backing them (France being #1) than anywhere else in the world. It's pretty amaing to see them complain.

Sorry Anthony if you have an industry which is non competitive then its should become competitive and stand on its own merits, this how capitalism works, if you don't cut the mustard tough titties. Yes the EU is heavily subsidised and they should be putting their money where thier mouth is however these have been in place since the inception of the EU decades ago and most countries are still able to compete with them evn if the feield is not level, my point is subsidies do not build a competitive industry and by continuing with this practice you are just moving the burden of the cost onto the taxpayer, and deffering the problem. This is no different to social security, and for one so concerned about tax levels as you are this is one of the reasons why you taxs are so high. The biggest mistake that occured with your steel industry was allowing one large monopoly to own most of US steel production, one major problems which only made matters worse as there was no competition within the domestic market. Of course this argument can be translated to all areas of business. I doubt you would keep ineficent practices in your business nor would you continue to employ people who are inefficent.

Having a blacksmith in the family - I get to see factors of the steel industry a bit closer than many folks (since, instead of buying steel products, you know - I'm used to receiving truckloads of -raw- steel at the house, when I lived with them..)

Pricing may be a big factor, but another big problem (to many blacksmiths at least,) is -quality-. Simply put, in certain areas, US steel simply can't compete quality-wise. There are certain types of steel (high grade steels,) that my stepfather is always trying to buy - but the US plants simply can't make it, or won't make it, because they can't even -begin- to do it cost effectively. The tariffs on the European steel (unfortunately, I can't remember what country it is that primarily makes it - or even what kind it is.. you know, when you're just chatting, details like that don't stick..) have driven the price on it through the roof (it's not cheap steel to begin with.)

As a member of the EU I constant gripe about the EU farm subsidies. We spend 50% of our entire budget supporting farmers!!!! Worse, the subsidies go to the bigger farmers with most of the money going to the pockets of those who don't need it. It's ludacrous, and I totalyl agree with anyone who feels these subsidies should be removed. I don't have an issue with spending money to preserve the nature of the rural countryside though, but such money should be spent on these things and not on paying farmers to produce uneconomically food.

I also agree that a trade war would be very counter productive for the EU, unfortunately the US hasn't given it much choice. The US has had 4 years to remove it's illegal trade tariffs and failed. What else can the EU do? Unless some people believe the US has a god given right to tilt the playing field?

No, I really believe the US needs to realise the damage it's doing to itself. It can't demand other countries to allow access for it's products and then subsidise those products. That's pure arrogance and it will eventually destroy it's international trade and in doing so it's own economy.

Paul.

In a time of isolationist policy, America came out of the great depression in WWII. The war machine put everyone to work, who generated that wealth? It was Americans working for Americans. As for the EU sanctions, it would take years to analyze who would be harmed more substantially as the result of a counter productive trade war, but I would gamble and say Europe. If the Europeans are content with politicians who would restrict what they can or can’t buy, who they can or can’t do business with, then just as Willy Loman was a microcosm of capitalism, the EU probably wasn’t much of a market for American products to begin with.

Anthony,
before you make comments such as 'the EU probably wasn’t much of a market for American products to begin with' please check the facts. Only takes a minute or two of a websearch. The EU is a major trading partner of the US.

You are missing my point though, why should Europeans be happy with America subsidising it's goods? It will cost Europeans jobs. For example, of course Europeans will be unhappy if that Burbon costs twice as much, but compare that with loosing the entire Scottish Whiskey industry. This is the problem and you are either totally ignoring it or don't give a damn.

I totally agree that America is never going to just admit it's wrong and say 'sorry'. It can't! It doesn't know how to! America is never wrong!

Prepare for the resulting trade war next year, nnless congress as a colective body decides to change the law without admitting it was wrong. That would be so American!

Paul.

Some facts
last year the EU imported 252 Billion US dollars worth of trade to the US. It imported 185 Billion dollars worth of trade. This makes it the largest trade partner of the US, with over 1.5 Billion dollars of trade per day occurring across the Atlantic.

Loss of this trade or a serious fraction of this trade will have emmense consequences to both sides. On a basic level that a huge tax income for the government lost, on a more advanced level if those goods aren't sold then the jobs creating those good are in danger.

Paul.

Reply By: SolitairPosted: Wednesday, November 19, 2003Some factslast year the EU imported 252 Billion US dollars worth of trade to the US. It imported 185 Billion dollars worth of trade. This makes it the largest trade partner of the US, with over 1.5 Billion dollars of trade per day occurring across the Atlantic.

and what is the other side of that equasion? how much does the eu export to america on a daily basis? hmmmm

typical one side view of how arrogence {you} not america shows up.AS with all people playing the "hate america game" you only show one view to support your arguement, not a FAIR AND BALANCED one.