Attitudes

There was a story in the Financial Times, yesterday, that finally gave some indication of what is driving some of the trade difficulties with the US.  The article is US-EU trade talks move towards November deal (11 Sept), which sounded like good news.  However, hidden in the good news was some attitudes that not conducive to good relations.  The EU Agriculture Commissioner said “The EU does not welcome the America First bully...It will deal with him where it can, but will always stand four—square against the idea that the America can put its elbows on the table and dictate terms.”  I didn’t like that very much, because from time to time we get the idea that the bully is sitting in Brussels, and putting more than elbows on the table.

The EU thinks it can bash our technology sector and extract money from it for doing exactly the same kind of thing they blame the US for.  The hypocrisy and over regulation are good indicators of why it is so difficult to find common ground in anything agricultural, a problem shared with Canada by the way.  There are long-term attitudes towards the over-regulation of different sectors, but agriculture is a good example governed by ancient customs and procedures that the Romans must have put into place.  We agree that trying to undo all of these agreements in one or two years is not a good idea, and is an attitude that does not serve us well.  We have no patience.

But do not call us bullies just because we object to some of the trade practices that have Made Europe Great Again.  I really can’t blame Great Britain for getting out of the EU.  The attitudes of bureaucrats used to make me mad enough to leave my family political party held for 150 years.  We aren’t bullies.  We have just had enough and wanted a change.