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A free-trade agreement with Europe? [David Ignatius]
Washington Post ^ | Thursday December 6, 2012 | David Ignatius

Posted on 12/08/2012 10:00:38 PM PST by SunkenCiv

At a recent meeting of German business and foreign-policy leaders, one participant summed up an anxiety that’s almost palpable here: “Europeans have a sense of being left alone. You Americans don’t understand how much we need you.”

Europeans seem relieved that Barack Obama won reelection. (One German official wrote in an informal paper that his victory was “the best thing that could have happened to the U.S.”) But Europeans remain worried that the Obama administration’s famous “pivot” toward Asia will leave them abandoned at a time of severe internal economic and political trouble.

But a big idea is taking shape that could revitalize the U.S.-European partnership for the 21st century. It was the talk of Berlin and Hamburg when I was there a week ago, and there’s a similar buzz in Washington. The idea is free trade -- specifically, a trans-Atlantic free-trade agreement -- which I’ll optimistically call “TAFTA.”

...Clinton is said to envision an “economic NATO” -- a comprehensive agreement covering trade in goods, services, investment and agriculture. Indeed, a joint working group of U.S. and E.U. officials is about to release a final report arguing for such a comprehensive deal.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Germany; Russia; United Kingdom
KEYWORDS: davidignatius

1 posted on 12/08/2012 10:00:46 PM PST by SunkenCiv
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To: SunkenCiv

Just what the lefties in DC want, to do to the USA what the lefties in the UK did to Britain. The EU started as a “free-trade” economic union after all.


2 posted on 12/08/2012 10:03:14 PM PST by Olog-hai
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To: SunkenCiv
Yeah, that's a real brilliant idea for the individual members of the EU. /S

Another stab at sovereignty and each nations own goals.

3 posted on 12/08/2012 10:06:07 PM PST by Theoria (Romney is a Pyrrhic victory.)
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To: SunkenCiv
“Europeans have a sense of being left alone. You Americans don’t understand how much we need you.”

We can't save you from Islam unless you are at least willing to close the door.

4 posted on 12/08/2012 10:11:46 PM PST by Mr. Jeeves (CTRL-GALT-DELETE)
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To: AdmSmith; AnonymousConservative; Berosus; bigheadfred; Bockscar; ColdOne; Convert from ECUSA; ...

G’night all.


5 posted on 12/08/2012 10:28:54 PM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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David Ignatius and the Washington Post Flunk Trade Arithmetic Again
Dean Baker
Thursday December 6, 2012
http://my.firedoglake.com/deanbaker/2012/12/06/david-ignatius-and-the-washington-post-flunk-trade-arithmetic-again/


6 posted on 12/08/2012 10:33:30 PM PST by SunkenCiv (https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
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To: SunkenCiv

They don’t want free trade, they just want free ‘stuff’.

Germany has tightened up price controls for medications, and guess what ? Pfizer, Astra Zenica, and a 3rd pharma company are splitting.

buh bye


7 posted on 12/09/2012 1:02:21 AM PST by onona (Merry Christmas Brothers and Sisters)
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To: SunkenCiv; All

A “Free Trade” deal with Europe would effectively eliminate the US. The “Free Trade” deals with other countries have pretty much wrecked the US economy....and one with Europe would just mean America and Americans get screwed more

Why people insist on continuing failed 20th Century Keynesian Economics (Keynes policies started this modern “Free Trade” era) is insane.


8 posted on 12/09/2012 4:20:02 AM PST by SeminoleCounty (Illegal Aliens do not pay Social Security...Employers do.)
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To: SunkenCiv

We should be repudiating the free trade agreements we have now, not looking for yet another.


9 posted on 12/09/2012 6:25:43 AM PST by GenXteacher (You have chosen dishonor to avoid war; you shall have war also.)
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To: fieldmarshaldj; sickoflibs; AuH2ORepublican; GOPsterinMA; Perdogg; stephenjohnbanker

It surprises me how anti-free trade FR is.

Are tariffs not taxes that are then passed on to the consumer?

I do not want to pay more for imported goods to protect union scumbags here in Amerika.


10 posted on 12/09/2012 1:08:56 PM PST by Impy (All in favor of Harry Reid meeting Mr. Mayhem?)
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To: Impy; All

“I do not want to pay more for imported goods to protect union scumbags here in Amerika.”

Me either.


11 posted on 12/09/2012 3:53:42 PM PST by GOPsterinMA (The autopsy will show that this nation committed suicide.)
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Even I stand amazed sometimes, and remember, I’m sitting down right now.


12 posted on 12/09/2012 5:32:49 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Si sphincters volarem loco hoc esset aer portum.)
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To: Mr. Jeeves

/bingo


13 posted on 12/09/2012 5:35:12 PM PST by SunkenCiv (Si sphincters volarem loco hoc esset aer portum.)
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To: Impy; GOPsterinMA

There is an enormous amount of hostility toward pretty much any idea expressed by anyone here at any time, but the anti-free trade seems like the most puzzling — tariffs? No! That’s a tax! Tax breaks for more domestic energy production? No! That’s a subsidy! More open markets? No!


14 posted on 12/09/2012 5:37:50 PM PST by SunkenCiv (In this context, the problem with them is, they're followers of Pitchfork Pat.)
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To: SunkenCiv; Impy; campaignPete R-CT

“There is an enormous amount of hostility toward pretty much any idea expressed by anyone here at any time...”

Yep. You’ll have a permanent malcontent argue with you about the way you spell your name any on any given thread.

I see a direct link between lack of intellect and being in a state of permanent malcontentedness.


15 posted on 12/10/2012 5:43:43 AM PST by GOPsterinMA (The autopsy will show that this nation committed suicide.)
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To: SunkenCiv

Baloney.

We have “free traded” ourselves into oblivion.

Our “free trade” partners do not believe in free trade themselves, only we cling to the mistaken idea.

Stop it.


16 posted on 12/10/2012 5:48:45 AM PST by Cringing Negativism Network
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