I'd love to see a "fair" trade agreement and I think all this hot air spouted about this Bill going through Congress is just about having a fair playing field. I can understand the US desire to boost US industry, but to be honest, you rely on foreign industry just as much and vice versa. It would make sense for all the big ecnomies to sit down and work a huge, global response to this recession, rather than each acting individually and disjointed.
reply to post by marg6043
Marg, all sales in the EU are subject to VAT, not just American trade. How can it be unfair? You also have Sales Tax in the US, do you not? That's all VAT is.
post by marg6043
The French have a very long history of protecting companies it dubs “national champions” from takeovers by foreign competitors as well as providing extensive subsidies to farmers.
The French have always been about "France first", even at the expense of their EU partners. It makes the headlines every time the EU budget is up for approval as they get some $40 Billion Euro's for their farmers to do naff all, whereas the UK gets bugger all and has French and Spanish trawlers in our waters taking our fish! Don't get me started.....
post by marg6043
The British have been nationalizing their banking industry and forcing multinational banks to lend less internationally to focus on British businesses and citizens.
The US and many other countries have done the same. It's not quite protectionism, it's just ensuring that the countries financial houses don't go under and screw up the whole thing. HSBC and Barclays are still independent and account for a massive chunk of UK banking anyway.
post by marg6043
France, Britain and Sweden have long histories of subsidizing their respective domestic auto making industries.
Really? Like when we stepped in to save Rover and not allow them to be bought by a Chinese firm? Or when we saved Land Rover and Jaguar from closing factories and being bought by foreign firms?
We are about the only country in the EU that actually believes in market economics, the others will happily step in and help national industries, even when EU laws actually prevent it.
That is what is odd about the UK. We hate being told what to do by Brussels, but we appear to be the only ones following the rules.
Typical Brits, always sticking to the rules otherwise it just 'aint cricket....
As for the Asian countries, I assume the US could if it wanted take them to the WTO for unfiar practices. How come it hasn't? I assume because there was an American benefit, such as the undervalued Chinese currency allowing super cheap imports to continue?
, I think that are many, many Americans that will be very upset if the American steel companies get the finger because
the WTO doesn't agree with the bail out clause. 
