Originally Posted by Sunset Poet
Rob,

You are not hearing my point.
You want me to get all lost in the trees, debating this car and that car and the other car and German roads and which German roads and on and on.
No thanks.

You dont want to actually step back and view the forest but you should, because all of this will make more sense to you.

I ask AI what the US trade deficit was with the EU in 2024.
It came back 235 billion dollars and noted an increase of 30 billion over 2023.

How much does the US export to the EU? 370 billion.
How much does the EU export to the US? 531 billion.

You can talk about cars and parakeets and whatever, but that is the issue, because that is a lot of money.

In my opinion, there are two places to start the talks...

#1-All tariffs on both sides are eliminated and then the talks start. IMO...best option, but no takers.
#2-Reciprocal tariffs are put in place and then the talks start.

Looks like they went much closer to #2

QUESTION FOR YOU ROB:

Is it reasonable for the citizens of the US to want their govt to look at and renegotiate a 235 billion dollar trade deficit?

Marty,
it looks like you have a one-track mind: tariffs, tariffs, tariffs.

One place to start is with the American consumer. Canadians are now boycotting US products and buying Canadian. Why can't Americans just buy American products. That would immediately solve the problem. Your wife bought a German car. Why not American? You tell me. I don't know. Toyota sold the most cars in the US in 2024. Toyota is not American. Why do Americans buy Toyota. It's not because Japan has imposed tariffs against the US. There are two sides when trade takes place. You blame the EU for exporting too much. The real question is why are Americans buying so many EU products.