Trumps gonna win.

[HeIsHere]

The EU is finally paying the price for its hypocrisy

The language was typically colourful, and the more fastidious historians of post-war history might quibble about some of the details. Even so, there is no denying one simple point. When president Trump argued today that the European Union was specifically designed to “screw” the United States – and that this was the reason he is planning to slap 25 per cent tariffs on goods shipped into the American market from the EU – he wasn’t wrong.

True, the EU’s president Ursula von der Leyen might never have put it in precisely those words, and nor have any of her predecessors. But that has often been the intention. Over the last 50 years, a succession of EU leaders, with the French president usually first in the queue, have lined up to champion the central mission of the bloc as being a rival to the United States.

We can see that in a whole succession of policies, both large and small. Airbus was formed to challenge the grip of Boeing in the market for commercial jets and has largely succeeded. The Single Market was established to match the size and power of America’s 52 states. Its EU’s regulatory system was designed to set global standards, in the belief that rules made in Brussels were better than anything that could be devised in Washington.

Perhaps most of all, the euro was specifically created to challenge the might of the dollar, and eventually replace it within the global financial system. Indeed, the former French president Valery Giscard d’Estaing, when he was General De Gaulle’s finance minister, coined the term “exorbitant privilege” to describe the benefits that flowed from controlling the global reserve currency, and devoted much of the rest of his career to trying to end that privilege.

The list goes on and on. For decades, the EU’s true believers have seen it as an economic and geopolitical rival to the US, and through tariff walls, punitive regulation, and hostile commercial policies have sought to use their power to take Washington down a peg or two.

But there has always been one flaw in that ambition. It hasn’t actually worked. While the EU has matched America for size – and has never been shy about attempting to protect its industries from outside competition – it has never come close to matching the United States for entrepreneurial vigour, or innovative energy.

Indeed, Trump might want to pay closer attention to all the tariffs Brussels imposes, and question whether they are such a good idea. In trying to retaliate against Europe, he may end up copying one of its biggest mistakes.

And yet, the president’s broader point is surely right. The EU has been blatantly trying to “screw” the US for decades. It can hardly complain that someone in the White House has finally noticed – and decided to do something about it.


The EU is finally paying the price for its hypocrisy

Sure, the USA exports its culture to the Europe (soft power) and then punishes them for being like the USA.

The USA screwed itself, cause that is what empires eventually do, it needs to own up to all the misery it has caused if it wants to survive.

Its arrogance knows no bounds.

 

[Eli1]

Sure, the USA exports its culture to the Europe (soft power) and then punishes them for being like the USA.

The USA screwed itself, cause that is what empires eventually do, it needs to own up to all the misery it has caused if it wants to survive.

Its arrogance knows no bounds.

Good point.
USA exports democracy and then finds itself surprised by the development of said Democracy.
It's an old playbook repeating itself through history.

But now, all the gripes are laid bare on the table so a new relationship may begin or end.

 

[kqr_anointed]

 

[kqr_anointed]

Yeah I'll see you around

 

[ZNP]

Exactly.
Only people who are not good at their jobs are scared of being laid off.

Well that is not the only criteria, the other is that you are doing a vital job. There are many who are very good at their job telling others to carry heavy burdens but they don't help lift them even a little. Is that really a vital job when AI can do that for a fraction of the cost?

 

[Eli1]

Well that is not the only criteria, the other is that you are doing a vital job. There are many who are very good at their job telling others to carry heavy burdens but they don't help lift them even a little. Is that really a vital job when AI can do that for a fraction of the cost?

Very true. For example most manager or middle-level chain positions are not needed in USA.
In the past, in other topics i've joked about this bloated bureaucracy.
What's the difference between China and USA?

In USA we have the Ceo, 8 managers and 1 guy who does the actual work.
In China they have the Ceo, 8 workers and 1 guy with a machine gun who keeps them in line.

What do you think about this?
You've been there.

 

[HeIsHere]

Good point.
USA exports democracy and then finds itself surprised by the development of said Democracy.
It's an old playbook repeating itself through history.

But now, all the gripes are laid bare on the table so a new relationship may begin or end.

Export democracy, lol, is that what they did in Iran (1951-53) which held elections, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Bolivia, shall we go down the list?

Declassified documents have clearly shown the USA was involved in the coup in Iran as Iran sought to nationalize their resources (oil) which was against American interests.

Your naivete is still astounding.

 

[Eli1]

Export democracy, lol, is that what they did in Iran (1951-53) which held elections, Afghanistan, Venezuela, Bolivia, shall we go down the list?

Declassified documents have clearly shown the USA was involved in the coup in Iran as Iran sought to nationalize their resources (oil) which was against American interests.

Your naivete is still astounding.

I guess you didn't get the joke of "Exporting Democracy". Maybe because you fly Conspiracy Airlines too much?

 

[ZNP]

Very true. For example most manager or middle-level chain positions are not needed in USA.
In the past, in other topics i've joked about this bloated bureaucracy.
What's the difference between China and USA?

In USA we have the Ceo, 8 managers and 1 guy who does the actual work.
In China they have the Ceo, 8 workers and 1 guy with a machine gun who keeps them in line.

What do you think about this?
You've been there.

I think in China the motto is "Scam or be Scammed"

China's miracle was built on three pillars:

1. Foreign investment

2. Cheap labor

3. Espionage

Much of China's advancements were based on them stealing corporate secrets and then making cheaper knock offs. The problem is that when you steal and defraud companies they stop investing in China, they pull out and so you lose both your ability to steal their secrets and you lose their investments. Finally, China's "cheap labor" can no longer compete with competitors that include 3d printers, AI, and robots. Cheap labor is no longer a selling point because people have lost trust in China. This is like Bernie Madoff, initially his return on investment was better than others so that was a big draw, but once it was revealed that he was a thief the pyramid scheme was over. Stealing and scamming is a way of life in China.

If you look superficially at something made in China it will look awesome, inexpensive, and very advanced. But when you look deeper you discover the whole thing is a fraud. You thought you were getting the best sound system in your car, instead you got scammed with a cheap knock off designed to deceive you. You see this big, beautiful new city being built but then discover the concrete crumbles in your hand, the fire hydrants are simply for show and not connected to a water supply and there is no sewer system. On paper the Chinese have stored up lots of food in the event of shortages, but look into that and you discover all that food was sold on the black market with nice kickbacks to the government officials.

I lived in Taiwan for eight years. This is a modern country with a highly rated public school system. Look a little deeper and you discover the scam. You have to pass a middle school entrance exam. Boys that don't become laborers and girls that don't become prostitutes working for the state. Then you need to pass a high school entrance exam. Those that don't must pay for high school or go work in factories. So when you compare the US schools with Taiwan schools it is apples and oranges. We try to give everyone in the country a high school education, that is not true in Taiwan and Taiwan is far better than Mainland China.

On the surface it seems like you can do business cheaply in Taiwan but they have what is known as "the hidden tax". That is simply bribes which aren't even considered criminal. They justify bribes because it keeps their taxes artificially low which attracts businesses who don't understand how their country works.

When in Taiwan I was looking to buy an apartment. They told me the square footage of the apartment which seemed quite good but the apartment appeared smaller. It turns out that when they tell you the square footage they include everywhere your foot can go. So that is the hallway outside of your apartment, and the lobby in front as you walk into the building.

 

[Eli1]

I think in China the motto is "Scam or be Scammed"

China's miracle was built on three pillars:

1. Foreign investment

2. Cheap labor

3. Espionage

Much of China's advancements were based on them stealing corporate secrets and then making cheaper knock offs. The problem is that when you steal and defraud companies they stop investing in China, they pull out and so you lose both your ability to steal their secrets and you lose their investments. Finally, China's "cheap labor" can no longer compete with competitors that include 3d printers, AI, and robots. Cheap labor is no longer a selling point because people have lost trust in China. This is like Bernie Madoff, initially his return on investment was better than others so that was a big draw, but once it was revealed that he was a thief the pyramid scheme was over. Stealing and scamming is a way of life in China.

If you look superficially at something made in China it will look awesome, inexpensive, and very advanced. But when you look deeper you discover the whole thing is a fraud. You thought you were getting the best sound system in your car, instead you got scammed with a cheap knock off designed to deceive you. You see this big, beautiful new city being built but then discover the concrete crumbles in your hand, the fire hydrants are simply for show and not connected to a water supply and there is no sewer system. On paper the Chinese have stored up lots of food in the event of shortages, but look into that and you discover all that food was sold on the black market with nice kickbacks to the government officials.

I lived in Taiwan for eight years. This is a modern country with a highly rated public school system. Look a little deeper and you discover the scam. You have to pass a middle school entrance exam. Boys that don't become laborers and girls that don't become prostitutes working for the state. Then you need to pass a high school entrance exam. Those that don't must pay for high school or go work in factories. So when you compare the US schools with Taiwan schools it is apples and oranges. We try to give everyone in the country a high school education, that is not true in Taiwan and Taiwan is far better than Mainland China.

On the surface it seems like you can do business cheaply in Taiwan but they have what is known as "the hidden tax". That is simply bribes which aren't even considered criminal. They justify bribes because it keeps their taxes artificially low which attracts businesses who don't understand how their country works.

Amen!
My grandfather told me this when he was working with the Chinese during the communist revolution. Especially the stealing part.

 

[HeIsHere]

I guess you didn't get the joke of "Exporting Democracy". Maybe because you fly Conspiracy Airlines too much?

I actually do not find any of what is happening as comical.

I fly the "Reality Airlines" it is people with rose coloured glasses who cannot and refuse to see that fly the Naivete Airlines that will actually cause the most damage, why because they are in La La Land.

Ohh Trump and Musk cleaning house .... as they amass all the power unto themselves, but that is okay as long as I do not have to look at the DEI hires, I will willingly let silicon valley tycoons take over because they have my best interest at heart, because Musk is oh so cute and a geek, he means no harm. Big sigh.

 

[Eli1]

I actually do not find any of what is happening as comical.

I fly the "Reality Airlines" it is people with rose coloured glasses who cannot and refuse to see that fly the Naivete Airlines that will actually cause the most damage, why because they are in La La Land.

Ohh Trump and Musk cleaning house .... as they amass all the power unto themselves, but that is okay as long as I do not have to look at the DEI hires, I will willingly let silicon valley tycoons take over because they have my best interest at heart, because Musk is oh so cute and a geek, he means no harm. Big sigh.

You're too late, that's why you've picked Conspiracy Airlines now i'm guessing. lol
You're on the "OMG the sky is falling" phase but you were sleeping when the 'foundations of the society were being broken' phase.
It's okay. There's nothing you and i can do to stop the inevitable since societies will self-correct themselves when they find themselves walking towards the end of the opposite spectrums, which in our case is the Conservatives and the Liberals.

 

[kqr_anointed]

Amen!
My grandfather told me this when he was working with the Chinese during the communist revolution. Especially the stealing part.[/QU

You're too late, that's why you've picked Conspiracy Airlines now i'm guessing. lol
You're on the "OMG the sky is falling" phase but you were sleeping when the 'foundations of the society were being broken' phase.
It's okay. There's nothing you and i can do to stop the inevitable since societies will self-correct themselves when they find themselves walking towards the end of the opposite spectrums, which in our case is the Conservatives and the Liberals.

Wow

 

[HeIsHere]

You're too late, that's why you've picked Conspiracy Airlines now i'm guessing. lol
You're on the "OMG the sky is falling" phase but you were sleeping when the 'foundations of the society were being broken' phase.
It's okay. There's nothing you and i can do to stop the inevitable since societies will self-correct themselves when they find themselves walking towards the end of the opposite spectrums, which in our case is the Conservatives and the Liberals.

For some people the sky will fall, probably the next generation, but no worries the robber barons they typically survive especially when

the plebeians cheer them on.

 

[ZNP]

We are watching a cage wrestling match with Trump, Xi and Putin. These Tariffs are designed to bankrupt the BRICS nations so they are forced to sell their gold and stop trying to create a new currency other than the US dollar.

Trump is setting them up, he and the central banks are accumulating gold, front running, and then He will revalue the gold when the exchanges can no longer deliver any more gold. That could be very, very soon. He will then retire several trillion dollars in US debt dumping massive amounts of gold onto the market, crashing the price of gold so he can buy back the gold for a tenth of the price. This massive volatility in the price of gold going up ten fold and then down 90% will swamp the BRICS currency causing everyone to flee from it.

This isn't simply my theory, this is what virtually everyone who carefully watches these developments is saying, though they are a little more discreet so that simple minded folk won't understand. But you can be sure that Xi and Putin and all the BRICS nations understand. Trump is putting them into a corner like Scarface.

They have a choice, they can come out with their hands up and throw down their weapons. Unfortunately when dictators lose like that their own people will rip them to shreds. So that option is not as good as dying in a hail of bullets.

BTW, flipping the tables on the money changers will pave the way for one world digital currency of the Antichrist world government.

 

[Eli1]

For some people the sky will fall, probably the next generation, but no worries the robber barons they typically survive especially when

the plebeians cheer them on.

It's ok. Pick a better team next time so you can win bets too.

 

[HeIsHere]

It's ok. Pick a better team next time so you can win bets too.

Thankfully, I do not not need to win bets, so there is that.

 

[Eli1]

Thankfully, I do not not need to win bets, so there is that.

You're defending the liberals for free you're saying?
Hey, i respect that.
You're being a good plebeian.

 

[HeIsHere]

You're defending the liberals for free you're saying?
Hey, i respect that.
You're being a good plebeian.

I cut through the liberal /conservative divide and expose both sides as any Christian should.

 

[Eli1]

I cut through the liberal /conservative divide and expose both sides as any Christian should.

Ok this made me laugh real hard.
Thank you!