Author Topic: Europe warns U.S. over 'Buy America' (Read 2778 times)

Bindare_Dundat · « **on:** January 29, 2009, 07:59:16 AM »

European Union says a provision that would mandate materials for stimulus projects be made in America could violate trade agreements.

BRUSSELS, Belgium (Reuters) -- The European Commission signaled on Thursday it may contest a "Buy America" provision if it is included in the final version of an $825 billion package to kick-start the U.S. economy.
"If a bill is passed which prohibits the sale or purchase of European goods on American territory, that is not something we will stand idly by and ignore," Commission spokesman Peter Power told a regular news briefing.

Power said the European Union executive, which oversees trade policy for the 27-member bloc, "will be carefully studying the details of the bill before we can say that the U.S. are violating any trade agreement".

European steel confederation Eurofer called earlier for Brussels to tackle Washington over the issue at the World Trade Organization (WTO).

"Our view is that if passed this would be a clear violation of their WTO (World Trade Organization) commitments on government procurement rules," Eurofer said in a statement to Reuters.

headhuntersix · « **Reply #1 on:** January 29, 2009, 08:01:09 AM »

Interesting...to which I say, we're a sovereign nation...go scew.

24KT · « **Reply #2 on:** January 29, 2009, 08:13:14 AM »

Quote from: headhuntersix on January 29, 2009, 08:01:09 AM

Interesting...to which I say, we're a sovereign nation...go scew.

I think what you meant to say is "Go Screw".

Guess What... World Trade and Free Trade Agreements, surpass national laws. Sovereignty means diddly.
that's why so many are against the WTO. Those treaties supercede national laws

headhuntersix · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2009, 08:17:41 AM »

Yeah.....great Jag.

Bindare_Dundat · « **Reply #4 on:** January 29, 2009, 08:24:16 AM »

Quote from: jaguarenterprises on January 29, 2009, 08:13:14 AM

I think what you meant to say is "Go Screw".

Guess What... World Trade and Free Trade Agreements, surpass national laws. Sovereignty means diddly.
that's why so many are against the WTO. Those treaties supercede national laws

Remember all those huge anti WTO protests around the world and everyone thought these people were all just crazy CT'er/ anarchists?

Remember Seattle?: Reflecting on the past for a glimpse into the future.

shootfighter1 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 29, 2009, 08:30:51 AM »

Nothing should superceede our ability to set economic policy.

F-ck them if they don't like a "buy American" campaign. As long as their products are still an option for consumers, we should be able to promote whatever we deem fit. This global government stuff is very concerning. Is the WTO concerned about our horrible trade deficits?

24KT · « **Reply #6 on:** January 29, 2009, 08:35:42 AM »

Quote from: Bindare_Dundat on January 29, 2009, 08:24:16 AM

Remember all those huge anti WTO protests around the world and everyone thought these people were all just crazy CT'er/ anarchists?

Remember Seattle?: Reflecting on the past for a glimpse into the future.

Every time there is a WTO meeting, there are organized protests, and heavy handed crowd submission, occasionally leading to riots.

When WTO talks occured in Vancouver, our Prime minister Crétien at the time, ordered the RCMP to pepper spray the crowd. It was a huge scandal at the time, because protests in Canada have historically been peaceful without any hint of police brutality.

24KT · « **Reply #7 on:** January 29, 2009, 08:38:55 AM »

Quote from: shootfighter1 on January 29, 2009, 08:30:51 AM

Nothing should superceede our ability to set economic policy.

F-ck them if they don't like a "buy American" campaign. As long as their products are still an option for consumers, we should be able to promote whatever we deem fit. This global government stuff is very concerning. Is the WTO concerned about our horrible trade deficits?

The WTO is concerned with their own agreements and profits for their puppetmasters.

the "Fuck *m" policy won't work. Economies are too intertwined for one to say Screw You we're going it alone.

You may have said that in Iraq, ...but you'd be royally screwed if you tried to do that with the WTO.

You would be crushed in a heartbeat! Ain't gonna happen. Accomodations will be made, ...and there will be repercussions

shootfighter1 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 29, 2009, 10:34:31 AM »

So, international repercussions for a 'buy American' campaign is acceptible? I admit, I do not know all the details here...just that I think its dangerous for other countries to control what we do to try to help our economy.

Certainly, world economies are now dependent upon each other but it cannot be so much that a nation's general economic policies are dictated to them.

shootfighter1 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 29, 2009, 10:36:40 AM »

By the way...I didn't support any F 'em policy in Iraq. I was opposed to a ground military campaign from the beginning and in hindsight feel it was a big mistake going in there.

24KT · « **Reply #10 on:** January 29, 2009, 12:53:17 PM »

Quote from: shootfighter1 on January 29, 2009, 10:34:31 AM

So, international repercussions for a 'buy American' campaign is acceptible? I admit, I do not know all the details here...just that I think its dangerous for other countries to control what we do to try to help our economy.

No.... repercussions for America for a buy America campaign is acceptable. this is a global economic crisis started by America. If America thinks she can all of a sudden get all protectionist while leaving everyone else hanging in the wind, ...she'll have a nasty surprise heading her way.

Quote

Certainly, world economies are now dependent upon each other but it cannot be so much that a nation's general economic policies are dictated to them.

That is why the WTO and Free Trade agreements have been fought so vociferously at the grass roots level by those who have been paying attention all along. Ya know... the tin foil hat crazy CT types. They saw the writing on the wall while everyone else was watching American Idol, Dancing with the stars and wondering what Britney Spears or Paris Hilton was going to do next.

Eyeball Chambers · « **Reply #11 on:** January 29, 2009, 07:58:42 PM »

Quote from: jaguarenterprises on January 29, 2009, 12:53:17 PM

That is why the WTO and Free Trade agreements have been fought so vociferously at the grass roots level by those who have been paying attention all along. Ya know... the tin foil hat crazy CT types. They saw the writing on the wall while everyone else was watching American Idol, Dancing with the stars and wondering what Britney Spears or Paris Hilton was going to do next.

You're more American than many Americans

Nordic Superman · « **Reply #12 on:** January 30, 2009, 02:25:46 AM »

Quote from: jaguarenterprises on January 29, 2009, 12:53:17 PM

No.... repercussions for America for a buy America campaign is acceptable. this is a global economic crisis started by America. If America thinks she can all of a sudden get all protectionist while leaving everyone else hanging in the wind, ...she'll have a nasty surprise heading her way.

For the first time in history I find myself agreeing with a black lesbian pill pusher.

shootfighter1 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 30, 2009, 06:47:06 AM »

Can't completely argue there.

Jag, you into girls only? Not that its important...but I didn't know that.

Even though we may disagree on certain issues I'm glad your here and enjoy your debate.

If you and CQ left it would be a sausage fest...thats no fun. And although CQ has been elusive, I think our getbig politics girls are pretty hot.

CQ · « **Reply #14 on:** January 30, 2009, 12:10:33 PM »

Quote from: shootfighter1 on January 30, 2009, 06:47:06 AM

Can't completely argue there.

Jag, you into girls only? Not that its important...but I didn't know that.

Even though we may disagree on certain issues I'm glad your here and enjoy your debate. If you and CQ left it would be a sausage fest...thats no fun. And although CQ has been elusive, I think our getbig politics girls are pretty hot.

Yes it would.

You cretin males should be grateful Jag and I grace you with our presence

As far as "Buy American", all rhetoric. Seriously, no one start lying now and telling me they check all products they buy to see wher they were made and they refuse to buy a good unless it's American made.

99% of people - in any nation - buy what they prefer and/or is most cost effective. The "buy American" is simple rhetoric, I've seen stacks of Americans with flag bumper stickers all smashing into Walmart to buy Chinese made goods. People talk that talk, few do it.

shootfighter1 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 30, 2009, 12:23:40 PM »

"You cretin males should be grateful Jag and I grace you with our presence"

....your loosing points now!

You ever going to show your pic CQ? ...chicken.....

24KT · « **Reply #16 on:** January 30, 2009, 05:10:42 PM »

Quote from: shootfighter1 on January 30, 2009, 06:47:06 AM

Can't completely argue there.

Jag, you into girls only? Not that its important...but I didn't know that.

Even though we may disagree on certain issues I'm glad your here and enjoy your debate. If you and CQ left it would be a sausage fest...thats no fun. And although CQ has been elusive, I think our getbig politics girls are pretty hot.

I'm NOT into girls at all.
I'm 100% hetero. Nordic and a few others like to indulge in the fantasy that I'm a lesbian though.

24KT · « **Reply #17 on:** January 30, 2009, 05:12:02 PM »

Quote from: shootfighter1 on January 30, 2009, 12:23:40 PM

"You cretin males should be grateful Jag and I grace you with our presence"

....your loosing points now!

You ever going to show your pic CQ? ...chicken.....

I thought she was pretty accurate.

24KT · « **Reply #18 on:** January 30, 2009, 05:13:10 PM »

Quote from: RonPaulFan on January 29, 2009, 07:58:42 PM

You're more American than many Americans

That's just mean.

jk

Tapper · « **Reply #19 on:** January 30, 2009, 07:27:15 PM »

Quote from: jaguarenterprises on January 30, 2009, 05:10:42 PM

I'm NOT into girls at all.
I'm 100% hetero. Nordic and a few others like to indulge in the fantasy that I'm a lesbian though.

No man associates the word "Jag" with "Fantasy".

Nordic Superman · « **Reply #20 on:** January 31, 2009, 04:10:53 AM »

Quote from: Tapper on January 30, 2009, 07:27:15 PM

No man associates the word "Jag" with "Fantasy".

M-M-M-M-MONSTER KILL!

shootfighter1 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 31, 2009, 07:00:48 AM »

No man associates the word "Jag" with "Fantasy".

Oh, I don't know about that. Think about the makeup sex after a heated political argument....

SAMSON123 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 31, 2009, 12:48:57 PM »

Quote from: shootfighter1 on January 29, 2009, 10:34:31 AM

So, international repercussions for a 'buy American' campaign is acceptible? I admit, I do not know all the details here...just that I think its dangerous for other countries to control what we do to try to help our economy.

Certainly, world economies are now dependent upon each other but it cannot be so much that a nation's general economic policies are dictated to them.

Now it seems you have come to some of the understanding of what the Middle Eastern countries have been saying for years about america's foreign policies. These policies DICTATE what these nations can do in their own land with their own supplies and resources. Now america sits in the same place it has held other nation in for so long. DOSEN'T FEEL GOOD DOES IT???

MuscleMcMannus · « **Reply #23 on:** January 31, 2009, 12:52:02 PM »

Quote from: CQ on January 30, 2009, 12:10:33 PM

Yes it would.

You cretin males should be grateful Jag and I grace you with our presence

As far as "Buy American", all rhetoric. Seriously, no one start lying now and telling me they check all products they buy to see wher they were made and they refuse to buy a good unless it's American made.

99% of people - in any nation - buy what they prefer and/or is most cost effective. The "buy American" is simple rhetoric, I've seen stacks of Americans with flag bumper stickers all smashing into Walmart to buy Chinese made goods. People talk that talk, few do it.

Hahah spot on!

shootfighter1 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 31, 2009, 01:37:11 PM »

Samson, on that point I agree. The only policy that we should be dictating to other countries is a no tolerance to terrorism. I agree the U.S. has overstepped some bounds historically. Democracy is a government of the people and while I agree we should encourage other nations to persue a free government like Democracy, we should never engange militarily.