JRPGfan said:
Bofferbrauer2 said:
My guess was more in the line of divide and conquer. An unified Europe is much harder to control than all the little countries on their own. Like the video on the WTO rules in a post before pointed out, the EU has much more power and weight when it comes to trade deals, but if they were all divided the US could impose their rules in those deals. He riled against "unfair trade deals", remember? However, the only thing "unfair" to Amercans in those deals is that unlike some historical deals the US are not, and cannot, imposing their companies and economic power in those deals anymore. And he sells that as unfair to Americans
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Trump isnt against unfair trade,.... he just wants all trade to be unfair towards the other parties.
Thats basially what "america first" means. He is unwilling to deal, without there being huge gains for the US.
Also yes, divide and conquer, is probably what he is thinking, and what the russians/chinese want too.
But why would the US want a weak ally they can take advantage of? instead of a strong partner?
Ever heard the expression "with friends like you, who needs enemies?"
Basically trump doesnt set out to make friends, in his world view, screwing everyone over, even friends for profits, is the way of things.
In this way, he differs quite alot compaired to most past US presidents.
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I would have to disagree to an extent. The US has been absolutely taken advantage of in the area of trade for decades. Tariffs have been imposed upon the US, but the US imposes no or much smaller tariffs resulting in massive trade deficits, half a trillion to a trillion dollars. Trump has helped level that playing field quite a bit. The main culprits of the unfair and lopsided deals for the US were the EU and China.
In all honesty all leaders of countries should be trying to do what is best for their country. Including not rolling over to unfair/bad deals.
Interestingly enough both parties agreed that US was losing in trade deals before Trump. It wasnt until Trump that the divide happened. I understand and agree with the Trump disdain, but I hate that it has caused so many on both sides to turn a blind eye.
Lastly, we can pretend all we want that the leaders in the EU, Russia, and China arent trying to get over on other major countries and unions, but we would be lieing to ourselves. Everyone does it and if everyone is trying to do it, no one will succeed and we all win.
