SHOTS FIRED! EU Responds To Donald Trump's Auto Industry Tariff Threat

The Euros don't get it. They think they are still the goose that laid the golden egg. China is our future. The Euros can retaliate all they want, but they will be slashing their own throats.

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MCGA
MKGA
MRGA

Hey Matt, why do you say China is our future? I would think yes. they will continue to play a part in US autos but I don't understand your China is our future statement? Are you thinking mass migration of manufacturing to China? Importation of Chinese made vehicles to increase significantly over time? All of the above and more? or? As a automotive professional and your respected judgement on the auto industry I really want to understand on your take on China/US/Autos.

Trump is abusing his tariff authority, but the lickspittle Congress hasn't done anything to stop him yet. The only authority he has to implement tariffs are in case of national security threats and that only because Congress gave him that authority. To say steel and aluminum imports from allies in Europe or Asia, not to mention our neighbors here in North America, is a national security issue was a real stretch, but to say German luxury automobiles are a national security issue is just ludicrous.

It's kind of sad that every time there's a "trump destroying the economy" thread, MDarringer is usually posting right on the dime defending the indefensible trump, and then all his sock puppet screen names appear to update his stupid commentary and downrate everybody else's factual responses to him.

#45 doesn't get it. When you alienate all your friends, and you praise and prefer to deal with despots, then that reflects the fact that you have more in common with the despots.

Trump Cult devotees also don't get it: When you hate Canada, Britain, Germany, Japan (examples of "the free world" and "democracy"), and you cheer on North Korea, Russia, and China (examples of "totalitarian regimes" and "human rights violators"), then your actions speaks louder than your stated principles.

And as usual, the Alt-Left economic "visionaries" who believe socialism is the magic elixir are hell bent on kneeling to Europe and being cash raped.

There is no point in bothering to discuss the issue because the Alt-Lefters here just fling hysteria and drama and are utterly incapable of being dispassionate let alone even-handed. In there world Obama did no wrong and Trump can do no right.

I'm right. They are wrong. I know this. They know this. But it doesn't matter. Their idiocy must go bulls on parade.

They will be insanely triggered and will spew more of their venomous, incoherent rage.

#NEXT

Ha ha. Wow, someone struck a nerve. This response has all the buzzwords: alt-left (twice), socialism, kneeling to Europe, cash raped, hysteria, Obama, insanely triggered, spew, venomous, incoherent rage! That did rise above the vocabulary of some of the commenters here with their libtards, libturds, and antifa trash talk, but just.

You were right on cue. I don't even have to try.

But try you did. I actually agree with some of your car opinions and think you defend them well, but you resort to invective towards other commenters when it comes to the political stuff instead of having a strong counterargument. I think that should tell you something about the strength of those positions when all you can counter with is alt-left blah blah blah.

@ribdcky You're a hypocrite for saying "...but you resort to invective towards other commenters when..." because you do the exact same thing. In fact, civility is not a part of the culture of AutoSpies. It was Wild Wild West when I got here. You've done nothing to act any different than anyone else.

As for the implication that I somehow am an egregious example, you have selective vision. Over the past month, I have dialed my fiery rhetoric back 75% just to watch the effect. I dialed it up in the first place just ot watch the effect. Nevertheless, have you noticed how often TheSteve picks a bitch fight with the air? Hell, TheSteve routinely does pre-emptive arguments against me, which I find hilarious.

TheSteve needs a bowl of Xanax every morning. The thing is that he isn't intelligent enough to ignore what I say--which would render me powerless--because his love of the raging inferno is infinitely greater than mine. Machiavelli is a name he's never heard, but an individual whose psychology has been deeply studied and which was a part of my dissertation process.

If you want to have the value that civility should be maintained here, that is certainly your prerogative, but to point the finger of blame about something--for which you are routinely guilty--is hypocrisy. I am many things but never a hypocrite.

I would say to the men here--who are perpetually triggered and offended--need to stop compensating for being emasculated, eunuch feminists and to stop being such emotionally driven snowflakes.

I appreciate the civility of your reply, but one has to be an exemplar of the moral high ground if one is going to suggest that others take that path. Me? I'm just exceedingly well-educated and wealthy trailer trash.

I think the car tariff could end up being Trump's tariff Waterloo with Congress. I'm sure Congress is getting a tremendous pushback from businesses large and small. The bigger auto dealers are generally politically connected and there are numerous dealers in every Congressional district employing many people. One of the largest dealers in my area is owned by a well-connected family including being major GOP donors and active within the Republican National Committee. That family owns Audi, Volvo and Volkswagen dealerships among others. There would be too much collateral damage to their dealerships and other dealers across the country for a 20% tariff to last long. I think that's why Jeff Flake said he would put holds on all judges until Congress votes on the tariffs, not because he has any particular courage or integrity, but because Republicans are facing this pressure from their normal allies in their districts, and since Flake isn't running for reelection he's perfect to run interference for the rest of the Republicans who're afraid of the MAGA crowd. Plus as readers of AutoSpies should know best, Americans in general don't want the government limiting with their car choices and Congress isn't keen to face that wrath.

Trying to keep politics out of this, the arguments currently being made by the White House using article 232 simply do not have any basis. Canadian steel and German cars do not represent a threat to national security of the USA. And the tariffs the USA places on EU cars (2.5%) and EU trucks (10%) still remain. This argument does not hold water and it is not a defensible position. Note the article says Congress has until February 19th to decide if EU cars are a threat to national security. Seeing the comments from members of the GOP I do not think they will decide in favour of this initiative.

It has been stated that we have had a current "trade surplus" with Canada. But now Trump has brought the majority of Canadians together to boycott US goods. It will be interesting if Europe decides to do the same. China could either put a large tariff on US companies making cars there or restrict production or sales from US companies.

NK gave into Trump? Now that is funny. Do they still have nuclear weapons? Yes. Do they still have intercontinental ballistic missiles? Yes. Has the pressure been completely removed from Kim to actually get rid of the weapons after Trump's Apprentice - North Korea episode? Yes, because all the MAGA types think Trump solved it. All smoke and mirrors.

@ribdcky are you really so stupid as to believe and denuclearization happens instantaneously?

Kim got everything he wanted: to be elevated to the level of the US president in a summit, end of joint US-South Korean military exercises, and Trump crowing about the great success of the meeting which Kim turned around and used for propaganda purposes. Nothing was signed, no promises were made that haven't been made before. NK blew up a bunch of old test tunnels for show, but the pressure has been completely removed from them. They still have nukes and missiles and those aren't going anywhere. It's Kim's trump card (no pun intended) and he isn't going to give that up, ever. Would you? Kim won. Having real nukes and a capability to deliver them changes the equation. My opinion is that Trump told Kim to lay low while he's in office and if he does Trump won't press the issue, because in the end Trump can't do a damn thing about NK without causing WW3. I'm glad we're not on the brink of war anymore, but it isn't because any real facts on the ground changed or that NK has suddenly been defanged. Quite the opposite.

@mini22: Like so much other Trump BS, Daffy Donny spoke out of his ass. When you count all US/Canada trade, which includes products *AND* services -- which is what every other country in the world does -- the US enjoys a trade SURPLUS with Canada. Anywho who cares to look up the numbers can easily validate that. It's just a fact.

But Daffy Don's lies, his BS rhetoric, and his bogus claims have alienated America's biggest trading partner because... well... Daffy Don and his Dopey Devotees :-/ Facts don't matter to Daffies.

Well we now know what Harley Davidson is going to do. As a result of Us tariffs the EU has 30 plus percent on Motorcycles exported over the pond. HD apparently had little choice. To avoid a 100 million loss they are moving some their production to the EU. How many other business will put into this situation in the future if the EU attacks other US exports?

MDarringer, people who actually are well educated and wealthy, do not feel the need to boast about it online where there is no verification. Your vocabulary and "debate" style suggest more GED and inexpensive townhouse.
You use the word trigger a lot, but it is you who are triggered and launch into a tirade every time someone says something slightly critical of Trump.
Yet, when challenged, you have not once provided any concrete examples of anything he has done. Instead you launch into another insult laden defense.
Trump has no understanding of the Constitution or the values that along with our allies (democracies) have produced a stable world with economic wealth.
For Christ's sake he takes the time to criticize Jimmy Fallon, but cannot bring himself to say anything negative about Putin, the dictator who kills his opponents and the press. I have worked with the FTC and they do outstanding work. Trump does not understand the complexity of tariffs and import duties. His recent spate of tariffs is unreasonable and unsustainable.
Do not worry, he will be back in Trump Tower grabbing unsuspecting p***y shortly after the midterms.

Well Truthy as much as I like and agree assessment of Trump and his lack of understanding of tariffs I do not share your optimism about the mid terms. The people who have been pro-Trump will remain pro Trump.The people who don't care will have to get out and vote(as in black women in Alabama did to defeat Roy Moore). Independents who gave Trump a chance have to come to the conclusion that he is not only no better than Hilary, he is actually quite a bit worse. I'm not so sure that's the sentiment now. Yes there are pockets left infiltration but I don't know if it is strong enough to change the balance of power in congress. Unfortunately enough blue collar American people are going to have to suffer big time in their wallet for them to change their mind. Specifically the price of consumables has to go up significantly due to the tariffs. The people with pre-existing conditions need to feel the cost or the inability to get health insurance. Those who do need to feel the increased cost compared to what they were paying. The average price of a new car has to go up 20 to 25%. So my prediction is there will be some left wins in the mid terms but control of both houses will remain in right control. I hope I'm wrong but I don't think so. I think we are looking at 2020 for any real change in congress.

Wow, look at what Trump is doing to this country...

No matter if you love him or hate him, is this really healthy for the country??