EU Poised to Seek More Trade Sanctions Against US

[Gloria]

New World Media Watch
Full links,excerpts up now at http://www.zianet/com/insightanalytical


4//The Daily Times, Pakistan Wednesday, November 10, 2004

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=story_9-11-2004_pg7_49



EU POISED TO SEEK MORE TRADE SANCTIONS AGAINST US

Reuters/AFP

GENEVA: The European Union is likely to ask the World Trade Organisation (WTO) soon for the go ahead for $40-50 million in sanctions on US goods in a long-running anti-dumping row, diplomats said on Monday.

In another sign of transatlantic trade tension, Brussels was expected to put the request at the next meeting of the WTO’s disputes settlement body (DSB) on November 24.

“It is not 100 percent sure, but it is very likely,” said one diplomat in Geneva with knowledge of the case.

The European Union, which is backed in its complaint by seven other WTO members, including Japan, has already won the right to retaliate over the controversial US measure, the so-called Byrd amendment.

(SNIP)

Authorisation is guaranteed, however, as the request could only be blocked by the unanimous decision of all members, including those bringing the complaint.

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[Tandalayo_Scheisskopf]

1. trade war.

Great, That'll help.

[PROGRESSIVE1]

2. Terror War, Iraq War, Cold War, Trade War!

Gee, there seem to be alot of WARS going on under Bush's watch.

[nadinbrzezinski]

3. color me surprsied: trade war here we go!

[pippin]

10. What D'ya Mean Just a Trade War?

Bush will probably now plan a preemptive strike against Europe. If we don't like another country or countries just invade 'em, shock and awe 'em, nuke 'em. That way we'll bring democracy to the whole world. Hell, who cares about Cuba now, let's go for the big ones.

[Massacure]

4. Byrd was the one who made this ammendment too?

Great, the repubs are gonna be sure to throw this ammunition in our face.

[Robert Oak]

5. oh gee, but don't ya know we joined the WTO to avoid retaliation n/t

[SKKY]

6. Boy! The "next 4 years" is off to a swimmingly good start...

[BonjourUSA]

7. "the next four years" : no mercy

Bush shouldn't be on economic war with the 45% of the world trade area

[mmonk]

8. Expect the continuation of such

America is in alot of trouble worldwide with both economic and foreign policy with one feeding off the other. The EU is looking to do economic damage to American hegemony, just in a different way than the terrorists. Bush was the worst of all possibilities for this country in this situation and its too bad so many Americans can't see it and scoff at co-operation.

[sadiesworld]

9. Bushco's unwillingness to deal with NK one-on-one leaves us

vulnerable on trade issues with China. His sandbox games give us no room to manuever with the EU. What a fuck-up.

Personally, I think the WTO deserves a quick, painful death, but as you say "the worst of all possibilities".

[aneerkoinos]

11. Before WTO

let's kill IMF and World Bank. WTO has some democratic structures (in principle every country has veto), and "emerging markets" have lately been able to create common fronts and use their increased bargaining power against the OECD block (US and Europe) to create fairer forms of trade.

WTO is basically sound, it's the policies that have been sucking so far. WTO needs no death, it needs to be changed into positive force and balanced by WEO, World Enviromental Organization, global trade unions etc.

WTO means at least some "rule by the law" elements entering world economic structure, instead Del Monte Man dictating everything to everybody. Because of WTO US is slowly loosing the neocolonialist advantages it don't deserve, so Bush is likely to jump the whole WTO in preference to bilateral treaties with corruptible leaderships that dont give a shit for their people.