Posted on 05/31/2018 10:31:24 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
In a move that sharply escalates trade tensions with America’s closest allies, the Trump administration said Thursday it would allow steep tariffs to take effect on imported steel from the European Union, Canada and Mexico.
Despite European officials’ last-ditch pleas as well as repeated vows of retaliation, the administration said it would not extend for a third time temporary tariff exemptions on steel and aluminum, which expire at midnight Friday.
If the duties are imposed — 25% on steel and 10% on aluminum — EU leaders said they would have no choice but to respond with counter-tariffs on as much as $3.5 billion of U.S. imports. Among the imports that would be targeted are such iconic American products as blue jeans, Kentucky bourbon and Harley-Davidson motorcycles — products aimed at applying maximum political pressure as they are produced in home states of top lawmakers.
European officials on Thursday met with U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in Paris in a final effort to dissuade the administration from going through with the tariffs, but Ross was unmoved and, in a call with reporters from Paris, Ross announced that the tariffs would be imposed.
Earlier he had suggested that negotiations could continue even after the tariffs are imposed, but EU officials had insisted that the threat of metal tariffs must be lifted before broader negotiations could take place.
Ross, asked about concerns of retaliation that would target farm goods and other U.S. products, said: “Let’s see what evolves as things go forward.”
The tariffs are also likely to complicate ongoing negotiations with Canada and Mexico to reform the North American Free Trade Agreement. The Trump administration made it no secret that the threat of steel and aluminum tariffs was intended as a lever to win concessions from Canada and Mexico,
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
I think this is the first president we’ve had since Reagan that can play hardball.
DJT is kicking them in the ass!!! Good job!!
And in case anyone thinks we’re getting a fair deal from these people then feel free to look at their trade balance:
https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/balance/index.html
“In a move that sharply escalates trade tensions with America’s closest allies………”
America’s closest allies?
Or Obama/Hillary’s closest allies?
Ok ladies and gentlemen
Time to restock the closets and cupboards with jeans, bourbon
And your first (or second) Harley
Among the imports that would be targeted are such iconic American products as blue jeans, Kentucky bourbon and Harley-Davidson motorcycles .................. Well I guess the Bourbon may be a problem, but Jeans and Harleys? They are being made over seas now. Harley is moving operations to Malaysia??? Who produces Jeans in the USA? I think I heard that Levis were bought out by an Asian Co.. ????
I already have two Harleys, and I keep my bourbon in the freezer. I do need more jeans, though...
That’s doin’ your share!
Keep up the good work and PASS THE WORD
Why in the world would they impose tariffs in retaliation and harm themselves? Well, that is how the open border/free traders think.
Note the lack of anything really worthwhile in the euro tariffs?it really does say a lot.
And you will take note of ZERO notice in the media, about how much this has to do with Euros trading with Iran.
I
OMG! Retalitory Tariffs! The sky is falling.
Oh, NOES!
I need NO product they sell. Especially, cheap poor quality junk.
I don't think we can call them allies anymore. Competitors maybe.
Either we have fair trade on both sides or we don’t. We can’t continue to finance our trade deficit instead of leveling the playing field.
Depends on the context. In trade I agree; competitors but in world affairs we should still be allies. Business is intertwined with politics but each nation should be looking out for its workers. American pols should be working to insure its citizens have the opportunity for good paying jobs in all sectors not undercut by illegal immigrant labor. I would think the other nations would want the same for their people but when it comes to politics and business; it's such a cut throat world. Not one I'm comfortable in. I would think mutually beneficial trade for both (all) sides would be the goal. Again; that isn't my world so I don't really know.
Maybe world leaders should be looking at this as friendly competition rather than a hostile one.
What is “fair trade”?
The 50 States can produce every product it needs.
World products just invite bribery from foreign governments.
That brings global socialsm.
Other nations can create their own trade blocs. The USA already has 50 States. No more are needed, because otherwise you must deal with foreign Nations, not companies.
Free trade always leads to corrupt bailouts.
Isolationism leads to war
Why is Kentucky bourbon made anywhere but Kentucky? New business startups in US. Jeans, bourbon and Harley’s.
Today the news is ONLY about the “retaliation” ... nobody is saying why Trump put the tariffs in place in the first place!
Among the imports that would be targeted are such iconic American products as blue jeans, Kentucky bourbon and Harley-Davidson motorcycles .................. Well I guess the Bourbon may be a problem, but Jeans and Harleys? They are being made over seas now. Harley is moving operations to Malaysia??? Who produces Jeans in the USA? I think I heard that Levis were bought out by an Asian Co.. ????
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