Strong message from EU’s Tusk: ‘With Friends Like Trump, Who Needs Enemies?’

[franco + 96]

The president of the European Council has warned of the “capricious” actions of president Donald Trump as EU leaders prepare to discuss their response to the US abandonment of an Iran nuclear deal and the threat of steel tariffs tonight. “Looking at latest decisions of Donald Trump someone could even think: with friends like that who needs enemies”, Donald Tusk said in Sofia on Wednesday, amid straining transatlantic relations. His comments come ahead of an informal dinner of the EU’s 28 leaders in Bulgaria tonight, where the bloc will consider how it should respond to Mr Trump’s threat to impose sanctions on European companies who do business in Iran. Mr Tusk said the EU28 would look at ways to protect companies from US action. The European Commission will also be given a “green light so it is ready to act whenever European interests are impacted.  Is the U.S. losing best allies?
 

[Pavel + 384]

Indeed, President Trump expects all the Europe and rest of the world follow him blindly? And he puts more tax on your goods so you don't need enemies. Just be ready for answer.

[jpZelabal + 63]

I dont get it, if they have to choose between the U.S. market and the Iranian market why are they not "trying to save" U.S economic ties to EU. In 2017, Iran ranked 31st in total EU trade similar to Tunisia & Bangladesh; United States ranked 1st. Iran represented 0.6% of total EU trade; U.S. represented 16.9%. U.S. received 20% of EU exports; Iran 0.6%....

[damirUSBiH + 327]

I hope all of us understand that trade wars are stupid and easy to lose...

[Tomasz + 1,608]

Political and economical consequences of US abandoning Iran deal are for me perfect (maybe unitended) realisation of Make Russia great again :D.

Edited May 16, 2018 by Tomasz

[Richardo + 6]

Everything for Trump is about making a deal. But, business deals aren't the only ways to form alliances nor are they in any way beholden to the common working men and women in the civilized world. In Trump's Machiavellian world the only winners are those with the most wealth. I remember a bumper sticker message that said "He who dies with the most toys wins." It's a simplistic and naive view. But so is Trump's myopic view in his universe of unicorns wearing sombreros prancing around in pixie dust. 

One way to stop the Trump juggernaut and his threats of tariffs is for other countries which produce cars in the U.S. to play the same game of chicken. Announce that they are shutting down truck, auto and SUV production in the U.S. and shifting those jobs back home -- or to friendlier spheres.

BMW, Mercedes, VW, Toyota, Nissan, all of which have factories in the Deep South red state Trump country, should declare that they are pulling out of the U.S.. Some already make vehicles in Mexico but other countries such as China which is catching up fast can quickly and easily produce these cars cheaply and efficiently. With a growing middle class and a more affluent population they can afford to buy and drive many of these European and Japanese high-end vehicles. 

Remember Neville Chamberlain's 1938 Munich speech when he was deluded into thinking he could deal with and trust the Nazi regime, Peace For Our Time. Well, Deals For Our Time ala Trump can be a two-edged sword. Especially though when jobs and corporate profits determine the shelf lives of political dilettantes.    

[ronwagn + 6,290]

I thank God that Trump is trying to get fair deals with all countries. We have been on the losing end with all trade deals and that has put us in a bad import/export balance. Time to correct that. He will not allow us to continue losing. 

A new story explaining the woeful state of Europe's military due to reliance on American spending hundreds of Billions annually to protect them. They owe us all the money they have not spent to pay their measly 2% of income.  http://www.breitbart.com/london/2018/06/03/exclusive-ambassador-grenell-gives-stark-warning-over-woeful-readiness-of-nato-allies/

Edited June 3, 2018 by ronwagn
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