Between this and the removal of troops from Europe, the EU economy is going to take a hit.
I guess the 2 Army divisions are going to be replaced by 1 or 2 Stryker brigades, still a big net loss for Germany.
As they are loose with language and logic so they are with notions of capitalism. For the DoD or NASA to purchase goods and services from Boeing is considered by the European to be an "indirect subsidy" - as if the management and investors of Boeing do not have the right to invest their profits as they see fit.
Oh and never mind the fact that Airbus's parent, EADS, gets all manner of work out of the ESA and the European defense community or the fact that Airbus itself builds military planes, plane that have essentially been coerced from the EU member states by France. And all those subcontractors and suppliers of Airbus and Boeing? Naw ,they could not be getting any government at all. What fun watch France pretend that she does not run a fascist economic system.
The whole economic reasons for the EU are protectionism and government subsidies: They cannot not thin to do otherwise. Oh the land of obfuscation and collusion.
I just hope that Bush has the guts to tell the WTO to shove it when they decide against us.
I sure as shiite hope so. 30,000+ of our guys coming out of Western Europe will make a dent. Then with the Airbus piece; another hit on their already lousy economy. "Payback's a Bitch" (Did GWB say that?)