Posted on 12/03/2019 6:53:19 AM PST by Olog-hai
France is threatening a “strong European riposte” if the Trump administration follows through on a proposal to hit French cheese, Champagne, handbags and other products with tariffs — of up to 100%.
The U.S. Trade Representative proposed the tariffs on $2.4 billion in goods Monday in retaliation for a French tax on global tech giants including Google, Amazon and Facebook.
“I’m not in love with those (tech) companies, but they’re our companies,” Trump said Tuesday ahead of a sure-to-be-tense meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in London.
The move is likely to increase trade tensions between the U.S. and Europe. Trump said the European Union should “shape up, otherwise things are going to get very tough.”
French Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said the U.S. tariff threat is “simply unacceptable. … It’s not the behavior we expect from the United States toward one of its main allies.”
Le Maire said the French tech tax is aimed at “establishing tax justice.” France wants digital companies to pay their fair share of taxes in countries where they make money instead of using tax havens, and is pushing for an international agreement on the issue. …
(Excerpt) Read more at apnews.com ...
Champagne is high Enuff already
The EUSSR accelerated this trend though, and even relating to Champagne in particular; they even forced a Swiss village named Champagne to stop using the name “Champagne” for its wine products.
Tariffs are a tax and increases the price for US consumers. If the WH wants to hurt France or whatever country, just ban their imports. The US produces plenty of wine and cheese. The only folks who will be put out are snotty restaurateurs.
Have you ever tried Purple Jesus?
Wow, I can’t even think of anything I buy that is imported from France. America knows cheese and wine and does both well. Ditto for animal mystery meats... Obviously we can live without Airbus. Maybe designer clothing and perfume will get more expensive?
Is this not the greatest President of your lifetime? Sure is of mine.
The 100-Year-Old Loophole That Makes California Champagne Legal:
https://vinepair.com/wine-blog/loophole-california-champagne-legal/
Welcome to the Bureau du Champagne, USA:
https://www.champagne.fr/en/comite-champagne/bureaus/bureaus/united-states
Reminds me of a time when FDR was talking to his advisors about Somoza Sr. dictator of Nicaragua at the time.
FDR asked what kind of man he was.
“He’s a real S.O.B.!” one advisor replied.
“Yes, but he’s OUR SOB!” FDR replied..................
The Stilton cheese case is even more interesting: The trademark owners have no actual relation to the village of Stilton.
https://www.foodbev.com/news/the-stilton-affair-or-how-to-avoid-trade/
“A pub landlord in the village of Stilton in the UK has been forced to rename the cheese that he sold as ‘Stilton’.
The Stilton Cheesemakers’ Association (SCMA) – who, in spite of the name, have no connection with the village – had registered ownership of the name ‘Stilton’. This gave them the right to make the unsuspecting publican stop using it as a brand name for his cheese.”
RE: France threatens retaliation if US doubles Champagne price
I can live with a tripling of Champagne prices. Heck I can live without Champagne.
France can keep its fermented grape juice.
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