[Windflier]

"Europeans are looking at....getting creative with flight patterns to try to weather this extraordinary event."

I'll bet they're getting creative. I hear that the airlines are losing $200,000,000 a day to this eruption.

Pretty soon, this may even begin to affect the US economy. Although, besides high-end cars, what do we import from Europe that is a vital commodity? Anything?

[Yardstick]

I’m trying to think of how cheese might be characterized as vital.

Actually, I do see quite a few Volvo heavy trucks on the road.

But that’s a good question — what do we buy from the Europeans?

[mlocher]

Although, besides high-end cars, what do we import from Europe that is a vital commodity? Anything?

Much SW production is done in Ireland. Alcatel--Lucent provides a fair amount of telecommunication equipment. Heavy machinery comes from the Ruhr River Valley. Komatsu equipment is made in Germany and some of it is shipped here. The Netherlands produces a large amount of equipment used in the shipping industry -- especially marine cranes. There is quite a bit, but not too many products for the mass market.