Trump tears up part of EU tariff deal to raise import duties on cars and lorries

Trump tears up part of EU tariff deal to raise import duties on cars and lorries(theguardian.com)

13 points by exceptione 16 days ago | 9 comments

phs318u 16 days ago |

I don’t think I can overstate how incredibly damaging to the US’s ability to negotiate anything, this constant changing/altering/reneging/tearing-up of deals is. Any state or organisation that fails to treat the USA as anything other than a bad-faith actor, is doing themselves and their constituents a great disservice.

I can’t imagine what (and how long) it might take for the USA to regain any credibility as a reliable party to negotiate anything with.

jacquesm 16 days ago |

The emperor is mad and wears no clothes. Pointing this out will result in the emperor throwing a tantrum exacting vengeance on his own people.

pseudohadamard 15 days ago | |

  If I am removed, the people will be lost also. It is not necessary to worry about what the American people will need for elemental survival. On the contrary, it is best for us to destroy even these things. For the nation has proved to be the weaker, and the future belongs solely to the stronger eastern nation. In any case only those who are inferior will remain after this struggle, for the good have already been killed.

Oops, sorry, that originally said "German people".

jacquesm 15 days ago | | |

I thought it was familiar...

But yes, that's exactly it. Turn inward, define the world as 'the enemy' then start clamoring for some lebensraum.

exceptione 16 days ago |

I think this news won't dominate the headlines, but I think it is a clear sign the circle of authoritarians have lost the plot. Europe turned out to have too many cards. This seems intended to hit Germany and destroy its industrial base (after the billions of dollars in coerced investments in the USA). But part of me thinks this is also an assignment given by the Russian handler in last week's 90 minutes phone call.

Note that Trump managed to alienate Stubb, Merz and Meloni by now. I left out Macron, as the rift with Macron came earlier. In my view, it is quite over now. I don't expect Merz trying to flatter the American president, nor do I expect Europe to accept further extortion.

pseudohadamard 15 days ago | |

Unfortunately I think they will. More reluctantly this time, but they'll keep coming back to the abusive relationship.

exceptione 15 days ago | | |

There is less need to. EU still needs domestically build awacs-like capabilities for information gathering, but the US is also reliant on the EU for many things. What has changed: the EU is rapidly rearming and politically it has become clear that the USA is a dead-end, even the staunchest transatlanticists have fallen quiet by now.

What I do believe is that once the 15% deal has been signed by all required parties, Trump will back down his new tariffs. But I see there is, at this point, a little bit of chance that the original deal will be flushed down the toilet as well.

If I am removed, the people will be lost also. It is not necessary to worry about what the American people will need for elemental survival. On the contrary, it is best for us to destroy even these things. For the nation has proved to be the weaker, and the future belongs solely to the stronger eastern nation. In any case only those who are inferior will remain after this struggle, for the good have already been killed.