Is there any such thing?

[Admin]

[user=115]Donna_Pedro[/user] wrote:

PS. Hon, I hate to disappoint you one more time, but 99% of RW who evaluate their University diplomas in US get Masters... :cool:

Donna - where'd you find THAT stat?

- Dan

[Elen]

Hm:? What else does america give for Soviet/Russian Universities except Master degree?

[Turboguy]

[user=115]Donna_Pedro[/user] wrote:

Turboguy

I passed up a few sophisticated Moscowvites to find my way to my provincial gal from N. Novgorod.

If you think that your lady from N.Novgorod would be surprised at a/c, dishwasher etc, you could have had much more fun with a Papua New Guinean  girl, you know... - she would be amazed  at  simple  things like cloths, silverware, toilet paper and you could have a lot more  family fun getting her potty trained...

 

Thanks for the tip Donna.  Actually I lead a pretty simple life so if my gal gets too bored trying to figure out how to run an electric carving knife I will keep Papua New Guinean gals in mind.  I have potty trained a couple of kids and house broken a couple of dogs.  I can see if she would rather use the toilet or be let out once in a while to find a good tree.

[mischief]

[user=115]Donna_Pedro[/user] wrote:

  Wooow, fresh meat, then..(I promise I am not going to be very  harsh). First of all, somewhere in between Cabridges and Parises they have missed something in  your up-bringing - the ability for civilized communication in particular. First of all, your overly  emotional post clearly indicates that you took things personally.. Apart from the satisfaction  it gives to your opponent, its simply shows  a lack of self- dicipline and good manners.  Secondly, "you, yourself" type of discussion also clearly indicates the long habbit for petty kitchen fights  and thirdly, "ripping the shirt on your chest", trying to prove your point with all those "credentials" of yours is simply.. le ton mauvais.   So I guess, Cambridges and Parises are not the answer to everything, eh?

PS.  Hon, I hate to disappoint you one more time, but 99% of RW who evaluate their University diplomas in US get Masters... :cool:

Everybody

Now everybody understand what is going on on RW forums? I could not have a better proof of why I consider them nothing more then simply a gathering of ill-mannered  b..ches.

 

LOL... Clearly there is no point to respond to that… 

good idea about evaluation though! Will consider doing that… I might get another master! :cool:

Have a great life!


 

[Admin]

Thanks for the tip Donna.б═ Actually I lead a pretty simple life so if my gal gets too bored trying to figure out how to run an electric carving knife I will keep Papua New Guinean gals in mind.б═ I have potty trained a couple of kids and house broken a couple of dogs.б═ I can see if she would rather use the toilet or be let out once in a while to find a good tree.

Turbo,

I haven't been to the Papua side of the island, but I've been to Irian Jaya - the other side of New Guinea. There are, indeed, some women there worth considering - and they actually *do* know all about indoor plumbing and television and dishwashers and everything.

If everything fails with the FSU venture (unlikely), drop me a line and I'll get you in touch with some of the NG prospects :dude:

- Dan

[Turboguy]

Thank you for the nice offer.  I will keep that in mind.

[Donna_Pedro]

 [user=343]mischief[/user]

Clearly there is no point to respond to that…  
 

You are learning fast! Congratulations.  At least your  Masters is good for something...

[jb]

Hon, I hate to disappoint you one more time, but 99% of RW who evaluate their University diplomas in US get Masters...

I suspect this may be true for those women with University educations.  Girls with trade school (Institute) or College degrees rarely get the Masters equivalent.  Some may get a BA/BS, and many simply get some college credit, and they must return to school to get a degree.

[jb]

Dan wrote: I recognize his views of America and her politics/geography/etc. sometimes rubs you and other Americans the wrong way, but his views are representative of many in Europe and it is worthwhile for we Americans to be aware of those perspectives (IMHO). Doesn't mean we have to agree with them - and I'd bet Bruno does not expect you to change your mind just from reading his posts - but the exchange is still worthwhile.

I grow weary of having to apologize to Europe for American success.  Has it ever occurred to the European that they may just have it all wrong?  The Europa model is failing badly, the EU just posted it's annual GDP growth, an anemic 1.8 percent last year in the euro zone, while America continues to be much more robust.  The euro would be at half price if they had to totally support their own defense, the USA continues to fund an overly large part of NATO budgets, as well as the lion's share of the UN.  The whole idea behind the EU is to avoid the cost of self defense, it's much easier and cheaper to noninate the US as the world's policeman and let us foot the bill. Bosnia is a prime example of Europe not being able to clean up it's own backyard.

While it's not necessary to present a history lesson here, I will remind everyone that it was America which brought down the iron curtain with our powerful economic engine, not the French or the Germans, and certainly not the Belgums.  If it were not for the good things about America, none of these European guys taking swipes at America would be able to pursue an RW in the first place.

It's also true that America does have a poor minority class, we don't need a European to rub our noses in that, but at the same time the average American worker enjoys a far better lifestyle than does the average European, i.e., better, more spacious, housing, more and better quality  automobiles, better city infrastructure, better food, less poluted air and waters, more plentiful and higher quality medical care, and an all around better quality of life.

I just don't understand this liberal, PC, mindset that says we should just roll over and take it when the European decides to lambaste America.  There's a lot more wrong with Europe than there is with America.  I'm surprised I have to explain this stuff to other Americans.

[Admin]

I just don't understand this liberal, PC, mindset that says we should just roll over and take it when the European decides to lambaste America.  There's a lot more wrong with Europe than there is with America.  I'm surprised I have to explain this stuff to other Americans.

jb

No-one said that anyone has to "roll over and take it." What I said is; "the exchange is worthwhile" - and I believe it is.

Facts are, Americans are not alone in the world. Facts are, America's choices affect many other nation's citizens around the world. It is natural for them to have feelings and beliefs about America and her citizens. It would be rather ostrich-like for Americans to ignore the feelings/beliefs of others. The choice to do something, or not, about those expressed feelings/beliefs is also telling about us as individuals and as a nation.

I still maintain the exchange is valuable - and that other's feelings/beliefs should not be dismissed.

But that is just my opinion.

BTW - I honestly don't think there was anything in your reply that falls into the category of an "explanation" - but rather, an expression of your opinion - and a valid one.

- Dan

[Elen]

While it's not necessary to present a history lesson here, I will remind everyone that it was America which brought down the iron curtain with our powerful economic engine, not the French or the Germans, and certainly not the Belgums. If it were not for the good things about America, none of these European guys taking swipes at America would be able to pursue an RW in the first place.

Let take a look at lifes of common people in FSU and say me you are proud of results:? as you have brought down not only the iron but also crushed lifes of many people here( not only you of course but though it were you too) I suppose you don't count at our "thanks" for that

[jb]

Dan,

Not to be overly argumentive, but the explanation lies in the fact that we, as Americans, do support almost all of the European economic screw ups.  We buy their factories output at greatly inflated prices, do you really think a pound of French cheese is somehow worth eight times the value of the same cheese made in Wisconsin.  A bottle of wine made in Europe is worth twice that of a better wine made in California?  Do you really think a German automobile is so superior that it should fetch three times the price of a comparable US made car?  A pig raised in Denmark is tastier than one from Alabama?  The list is endless.

The truth of the matter is that Europe has been riding on the US dollar, nursing at the teat of the USA and the American consumer for so long they now feel entitlement; personally I'm sick of it.

Sorry for the rant, but I won't sit still for that "PC" BS that says we have to be nice to someone while they are in the process of slitting our throats.

[jb]

Facts are, Americans are not alone in the world.

Sorry, but that one just caught my eye.

Let some tinpot dictator wearing a funny hat, decide it's all right to slaughter thousands of people and impose his brand of evil on his neighbors, i.e., Saddam Hussien, and you'll quickly find out just how alone we are in this world.

Everyone likes it when we clean up the hot spots, but they don't want to dirty their hands with the job.  BTW, hat tip to the Brits, at least they understand the price of freedom.

[Bruno]

JB wrote :

I grow weary of having to apologize to Europe for American success. Has it ever occurred to the European that they may just have it all wrong? The Europa model is failing badly, the EU just posted it's annual GDP growth, an anemic 1.8 percent last year in the euro zone, while America continues to be much more robust. The euro would be at half price if they had to totally support their own defense, the USA continues to fund an overly large part of NATO budgets, as well as the lion's share of the UN. The whole idea behind the EU is to avoid the cost of self defense, it's much easier and cheaper to noninate the US as the world's policeman and let us foot the bill. Bosnia is a prime example of Europe not being able to clean up it's own backyard.

While it's not necessary to present a history lesson here, I will remind everyone that it was America which brought down the iron curtain with our powerful economic engine, not the French or the Germans, and certainly not the Belgums. If it were not for the good things about America, none of these European guys taking swipes at America would be able to pursue an RW in the first place.

It's also true that America does have a poor minority class, we don't need a European to rub our noses in that, but at the same time the average American worker enjoys a far better lifestyle than does the average European, i.e., better, more spacious, housing, more and better quality automobiles, better city infrastructure, better food, less poluted air and waters, more plentiful and higher quality medical care, and an all around better quality of life.

I just don't understand this liberal, PC, mindset that says we should just roll over and take it when the European decides to lambaste America. There's a lot more wrong with Europe than there is with America. I'm surprised I have to explain this stuff to other Americans.


Dan wrote :

BTW - I honestly don't think there was anything in your reply that falls into the category of an "explanation" - but rather, an expression of your opinion - and a valid one.

Let's go... first better lifestyle !!!

About less poluted air http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/env_co2_emi&int=50 ... number one, USA... why do you think that USA have refuse to sign the Kyoto convention...

About crime... rape http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/cri_rap&int=50 ... USA number one... assaults http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/cri_ass&int=50 ... USA number one... car thiefs http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/cri_car_the&int=50 ... USA number one ... murder http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/cri_mur&int=50 ... USA number 6 but before us...

We see the result of US medical care... not for everybody so the life experency in USA is more low that several European country http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/hea_lif_exp_at_bir_tot_pop&int=50 ... USA 48 ...

And about car, they use more fuel and polute more... you have more European auto in USA that US auto in Europa... only Germany produce more car that all the USA http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/ind_car_pro&int=50

Yes, your house are more big... but you have more territory for few people... Yes, our GDP is low but our inflation too... and the economic is stable... and we don't apply taxe of 300% on American product like USA make for some European product ( like metal ) for protect his market...

About Nato budget... "Last year, NATO's budget exceeded $1.5 billion. America's share in the budget was 29 percent. German's share was 23 percent and Great Britain's - 13 percent."... it mean that only two European country together give more that USA... now, the part of Europe slow down because we wish our own army and freedom... we will build a European army but USA don't like this because of his loose of control on us... http://english.pravda.ru/world/20/91/365/11135_europe.html

And really, NATO was not make for protect Europe but for protect USA... it was better fight against Russian on European country that on US territory... since the end of communisme, the part of US in NATO have slow down... in the last buget for enlargement, the part of USA is very low : " The total cost for the last enlargement is estimated at $1.5 billion over ten years; of this, the U.S. share is $400 million. The present round of enlargement is expected to carry similar costs, with greater benefits, as the previous round in 1999. That round of enlargement reduced the U.S. share of NATO's budget and the costs of its Balkan operations. "

Now, about the problem in ex-Yougoslavia... i was with Nato during the two war... at the first war, NATO have protect the Serbie... we was making a blocus for weapon and fuel... each time that a American cargo have go to Serbie, it was prohibith to control it... during the second war, against the Serbie, we have make face to new artillery gun made in USA... All these war are not for make the peace but for help the military industry in USA to shell weapon... And usually, USA ask help to Europa for finance the rebuild of country where they have make war... like in Irak now...

And i have good laught when i have read : "If it were not for the good things about America, none of these European guys taking swipes at America would be able to pursue an RW in the first place."... Same from the time of the iron curtain, European was able to visit Russia... the relation with Russia was not so bad... don't forget that in our country, we have socialist party... and liberal too... why do you think that some people speak French in Russia... myself, i was european military and i have visit Russia from the time of the iron curtain... i agree with some difficulty... the only thing that USA have bring in the process of pursue RW is the creation of scammer...

And all this venom because i have say that in USA, not everybody have a swimming pool and jacuzzi... You say that i lie but in reality, you wish that i lie, that i say that all is wonderfull in USA... for myself, i am not afraid to see the bad fact of my own country... that we have people who life at the limit of the povrety level, that we have around 30000 people who cannot read, that our economie is stabile but not at the top...

Now, i say basta... and it is why i have stop all... the majority of people here and on my site are American... and i don't wish anymore try to give some help and receive insult in return... stay focused on your own world with your eyes closed... but don't be surprised in several year... the world is changing, with or without you... and all you military power cannot stop these change... it is time that US open more his mind to the rest of the world... that the diplomatic become adult... you attract the hate of several people of the world not because you are bad people but because you choose to imposse your point of view by the power... not enough open minded to make a discussion and try to find solution together...

Yes, USA is a great country but several time, she act like a difficult children... become adult... don't isolate yourself, accept the challenge and protocol that several country have sign... like treaty of Kyoto for a better planet, like the treaty of Den Hague for a international justice, ...


Seriously, i don't think that US is more of minder succesfull that Europe... in some domain, we are better, in other it is USA... The european model is not failling... you see only the money side... our model propose a minimum for everybody, a economic stability... the economical power of USA is artificial... open your border to the free commerce exchange and i don't give 1 year to all the productor of coton from south USA to be in faillissement... yes, Europe have some problem now with the build... by example, the no to the European constitution from France was lead by the fear  of the textiel from china... Here, in Belgium, we have give up with textiel, not enough cheap... but in the begin of these month, a economical delegation in China have allow us to make a lot commercial contract for our product... be open to the world is the futur... be closed and you will know the dead at long term...

Don't forget my word, the end of URSS was the end of USA... Your fight againt URSS was the main reason of your power... but now, the rest of the world don't need you really...  

Now, a last word about you powerfull economy... you have a GDP growth  around 2.9% but a inflation about 2.5%... it mean a little difference of 0.4%... of course, Belgium is not better... 2.1% GDP and inflation of 2%... but take a look at http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/eco_gdp_rea_gro_rat&int=-1 ... GPD real growth rate... GDP growth on an annual basis adjusted for inflation and expressed as a percent... Ukraine : 4.8%, Russia : 4.3%... USA ( nr 117 on 150 ) : 2.4%... See on several year, the real GDP of USA lower... these of Europe don't show a lot of evolution... and these of ex-USSR grow very fast... now, say me where is the better evolution of the economy... not in USA, not in Europa... but in ex-USSr and China... and these country will be the economical power of tomorrow... thank to the end of the iron curtain :P:P

[Bruno]

Dan,

Not to be overly argumentive, but the explanation lies in the fact that we, as Americans, do support almost all of the European economic screw ups. We buy their factories output at greatly inflated prices, do you really think a pound of French cheese is somehow worth eight times the value of the same cheese made in Wisconsin. A bottle of wine made in Europe is worth twice that of a better wine made in California? Do you really think a German automobile is so superior that it should fetch three times the price of a comparable US made car? A pig raised in Denmark is tastier than one from Alabama? The list is endless.

The truth of the matter is that Europe has been riding on the US dollar, nursing at the teat of the USA and the American consumer for so long they now feel entitlement; personally I'm sick of it.

Sorry for the rant, but I won't sit still for that "PC" BS that says we have to be nice to someone while they are in the process of slitting our throats.

It have take me two hours for my previous reply.... and you can find partially the reply to your new post... we don't become more rich with our product shell in USA... your gouverment yes... when we have more cheap product, they apply a import tax who can reach 300% for protect you industry...

During the begin of the war of Irak, because Belgium have say no to the war, our "speculos" ( a type of biscuit ) have receive a intrance tax of 800% in USA... because we have other meaning, they have try to block several of our product... a economical attack... and it is you, citizen who pay these tax when you buy product... you make your gouverment more rich...

Here in Belgium, a American auto is more expensive that a German... if the real free market exist one day, all will be more cheap for everybody... of course, some industry go dissappear in USA or Europa... but the good industry can export a lot and give more work to people...

 

[Fiorella]

Bruno - My respect! :cool:

[Donna_Pedro]

Time to take the discussion to Political section... Dan? 

Its not going to end up very good. I hope Andrewfin wont make it before they close this topic or we are going to face a bloody fight.  Again. I am not participating, still licking the wounds from the last one. :cool:

[Bruno]

Sorry everybody... i have loose my control... but i cannot support that someone say that i lie without real argument... and who attack without any prove what i write... i think that all the link prove that all is not rose both in USA and Europa...

And Fiorella, don't thank me... it is only stastistic... not me... myself, i don't like these number who show a bad economical futur for us... but it is the reality... the ex-URSS was the motor of the western economie, you was our ennemy... and now that we have no more real ennemy, the machine is stopped... seem that people cannot work together, that they are more productif, innovatif when work against someone... in any case, it is good for Russia...

Now, for come back at the original topic, you can try http://www.russianamerica.com/ , you all a lot on these site... forum, news, ads, events, TV, ... and some more specific sub-site "RussiaBoston", "RussiaChicago", ... Los-Angeles, New-York, Cleveland, etc ...

[jb]

Bruno,

You need an education.

Here's a place to start:
http://victorhanson.com/articles/hanson060605.html

then go to the main page:
http://victorhanson.com/
and read the thoughts of a true intellectual as he unravels the ideas of globalization and world realpolitic.

Regards the topic of import tariffs which set you off, the American Gov't gets less than 2% of it's operating revenues from import taxes, while the EU is currently deriving 27% of it's operating budget from import tax.  

There's not much similar to compare.  America does subsidize Europe, it used to be called "foreign aid", now it has a new name, but it still comes out of the American taxpayer's pocket.

Oh, and by the way, the French said some really nasty things about America at the beginning of the Iraq war. Many Americans stopped buying French products and services.  It was a general grass roots boycott.  French made wine was a very popular and obvious target.  It took France about 3 months to realize that a multi-million dollar water hole had just dried up.  They are still sending special envoys to the US, begging and pleading to get Americans to buy French wines again.  They claimed that without the American market it would destroy a whole industry.  Personally, I haven't had a single drop of French wine since then. California wines are superior to French anyway, so it was not a great loss to me.  

[anono]

 California wines are superior to French anyway, so it was not a great loss to me

this is a fact and i am not a wino :cool: the french even tried to rig a wine tasting and they still lost. both red and white french wines lost to american californian wines.

while i do understand this, i still think it was sort of childish to start calling "french fries" american fries..i mean..that is simply silly...

 

[jb]

yeah,,, anono, most folks are aware of the rigged competition in those wine contests,,,, I do my own taste tests.

Regards "french fries", that was named by an American because back in the 1890's, "French" was fashionable, the French have never fried pototoes like we do anyway.

French cuisine was fashionable until recently, now folks are getting back to understanding the nutritional value of cornpone, ham hocks, lima beans, and turnip greens.

Ahhhh,,, good stuff....

[Bruno]

Bruno,

You need an education.

I don't need education but fact... what think you friend Victor David Hansson is only a meaning, not fact...

Now about import tax, take a look at http://www.economist.com/agenda/displayStory.cfm?story_id=1022220 ... a fact : " The international reaction to President George Bush's decision to impose tariffs of 30% on most imports of steel has been swift and fierce. America has been widely condemned for its protectionist stance... Even before the steel tariffs, the Europeans had a good cause for grievance. They are considering whether to impose sanctions against American tax breaks for US corporations doing business abroad, which the WTO has ruled illegal. "

About car, take a look at http://www.aiada.org/article.asp?id=9973&cat=Chicken+Tax... " Last year, America's best selling car was ... a truck. In fact, for the last 21 years, the Ford F-Series has been the No. 1 selling vehicle in America. Chevy Silverado, another pickup, took the No. 2 spot in 2002. Americans love pickup trucks. They are rugged and utilitarian, like the American pioneer. They serve our inclination toward industriousness. Pickups embody the American spirit.

But the Big Three automakers harbor a shameful secret. The industry is not as tough as the "like a rock" image it projects. Behind the facade, the industry fears foreign competition. And it forces its loyal customers to foot the bill for that insecurity.

Foreign-made pickups are subject to a 25 percent import tariff, a policy heartily endorsed by U.S. producers. So a foreign truck valued at $20,000 costs the importer $25,000 before he can even clear customs. Meanwhile, domestic producers of $20,000 pickups have an artificial $5,000 cushion, enabling them to increase prices without appearing out of line.

At 25 percent; the import tariff is virtually prohibitive. In 2001, fewer than 7,000 pickups were imported from outside North America. That's only 0.23 percent of almost 3 million purchased. Without imports, supply is smaller, choices are fewer, and domestic producers are the only game in town.

It's a veritable sellers' market, sanctioned under U.S. policy. And truck buyers -- if you'll pardon the pun -- carry the load. " ... All this for a kip problem from 40 year ago...


Of course, all importation in Europa are taxed with a indirect tax called VAT... a little like the duty on Wisky in USA...  these taxe of 21% is pay by the purchasers of good... on all product, localy make or outisde europe... so it is the european who pay the tax for the working of Europe... for each product these tax is pay, the origin change nothing...

Now the tax system in USA is other, the US corporate income tax falls totally and uniformly on the producers of goods and services (like a tax on property). So the producer pay tax both in Europa and America, plus a import tax... this make our product difficult to export in USA or at high price...

Now, if you wish work a little, go to  http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/user_set.asp , register yourself like i have make... and use the data for generate your statistic... for Europe, you have two code : EUR15 of EUR25 ... 15 actual country of the future 25... see the fact of your gourverment over import and export... of course, maybe they lie :P

Some other news :

" The original purpose of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 was to repeal the export tax incentive, which the World Trade Organization has repeatedly ruled illegal. As retaliation for the export tax incentive, the European Union has levied tariffs on more than 1,600 U.S. products. Tariffs began at 5 percent in March 2004, and have risen 1 percentage point a month since. Repealing the export tax incentive is good tax policy and good trade policy. There is no reason for the tax system to favor export income. Export income is not especially likely to stimulate the economy and does not generate other special benefits. In addition, resolving the ETI issue could benefit future multilateral trade liberalization and resolve a longstanding trading dispute with the European Union, our largest trading partner. Once the repeal is in place, the European Union will remove its tariffs on U.S. products. The U.S. terms of trade will also improve, benefiting the U.S. economy by about $5-6 billion a year. "

" An export subsidy (or a tax break for export income) worsens a country's terms of trade by lowering the price of its exports on world markets. This occurs for the same reason that a subsidy to a domestic firm making a particular good would be expected to lower the market price of that good. With the subsidy, the firm is more willing to supply the good, so the market equilibrium price of the good falls. "

Over America in the European treaty :

" The World's two greatest powers
[/b]

[align=justify]The European Union and the United States share common interests in developing coherent strategies in order to promote peace and stability, to create conditions for harmonious economic development in the wider world and to promote the stability of the international trade, financial and monetary systems, as well as the economic integration of countries in transition and developing countries.[/align]

[align=justify]Shared Values[/align]

[align=justify]The EU and the US have a common belief in democratic government, human rights and market economics, and they are bound by close security ties. Both sides share a common concern in handling effectively a wide variety of political and security issues across the globe. The EU and the US have to confront global challenges such as terrorist threats, menace to security and stability, weapons proliferation, drugs, organised crime and many other important issues. [/align]

[align=justify]Structure of Transatlantic Relations[/align]

[align=justify]To assess and develop transatlantic co-operation, the European Union and the United States hold regular presidential summits. [/align]

[align=justify]The emergence of a European common foreign and security policy meant that the United States would have a more solid and coherent partner in all areas, beyond trade matters. The growing number of external challenges needed a joint response and led to a decisive step forward in the relations between the two partners when they adopted the New Transatlantic Agenda (NTA) at the EU-US Summit in Madrid, in December 1995."[/align][/size]

" The EU and the US are each other's main trading partners and account for the largest bilateral trade relationship in the world. They are also the largest players in global trade.

BILATERAL TRADE RELATION

The EU and the US both account for around one fifth of each other's bilateral trade, a matter of €1 billion a day. In 2003, exports of EU goods to the US amounted to € 226 billion (25.8% of total EU exports), while imports from the US amounted to € 157.2 billion (16.8 % of total EU imports).

Investment

The investment links are even more substantial. The EU and US are each other's largest trade and investment partner. The total amount of 2-way investment amounts to over € 1.5 trillion, with each partner employing directly and indirectly about 6 million people in the other. The share of EU investment in the US amounted to more than 52% of EU Foreign Direct Investment over the period 1998-2001 (€ 162.663 million a year in average), while US investment in the EU amounted to more than 61% of EU FDI inflows over 1998-2001 (€72.041 million a year in average).

Our two economies are interdependent to a high degree. Close to a quarter of all US-EU trade consists of transactions within firms based on their investments on either side of the Atlantic. The transatlantic relationship defines the shape of the global economy as a whole as either the EU or the US is also the largest trade and investment partner for almost all other countries.

Being the largest players in global trade, the EU and US are therefore committed to a politically and economically significant co-operation agenda, be it on bilateral issues or in the multilateral framework of the WTO. Several trade-related disputes hitting the headlines only affect a small proportion of the world's largest trading relationship.

BILATERAL ACTION

The New Transatlantic Agenda

The New Transatlantic Agenda (NTA) and accompanying EU-US Joint Action Plan of December 1995 as well as the Transaltlantic Economic Partnership created in May 1998 form the main structure of our bilateral relations. The "partnership" lays the foundations to enable the EU and US to intensify their efforts to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade and investment between them notably through closer co-operation between regulators.

The current Transatlantic Economic Partnership based approach allows us to go further with the US towards achievable and mutually beneficial objectives. It meets three basic conditions:

• It allows us to focus initiatives on areas where there is goodwill on both sides and where gains can be enormous - for example financial markets; [/*]
  
• It promotes upstream convergence or mutual recognition of rules and standards; [/*]
  
• It acts as an early warning mechanism in case a potentially damageable piece of legislation is in the pipeline.

[/*]
The last EU-US Summit of June 2004 adopted a joint declaration on strengthening our bilateral economic partnership. By doing this the European Union and the United States resolved to give a renewed impetus to their transatlantic trade and investment relations. Leaders also took stock of the latest progress achieved under our bilateral Positive Economic Agenda, notably the financial markets dialogue, the launch of regulatory co-operation in four priority sectors (cosmetics, automobile safety, nutritional labelling and metrology), and the conclusion of the MRA on marine safety equipment. The Summit also examined the state of the negotiations with the United States regarding the establishment of an Open Aviation Area (OAA).

Trade disputes also belong to our bilateral agenda and the EU endeavours to defend its interest in the framework of WTO rules. However there are currently five cases where the US has been found to be in breach of WTO rules and where the necessary action has not yet been taken to bring them into compliance.

So, we are not the ennemy of USA... but if you cannot respect the contract that you have sign, be ready to some backfire from Europe... We are partner, not slave... And what US citizen pay is the result of your foreign politic with politic man who know nothing of what is outside US and who don't respect treaty...

And sorry again for the author of these topic... but i cannot stay without reply when someone lauch his venon on me... with sometime, some insult... [/size]

[Bruno]

Regards "french fries", that was named by an American because back in the 1890's, "French" was fashionable, the French have never fried pototoes like we do anyway.

Since a very long time, i agree with JB... French people cannot ready the "French fries"... or "fritte"...

The first english reverence of the term "French fries" are from 1890 in a cooking book... in the time, in the popular american language, "to french" a slang term that means first 'to cut in sticks'...

The first world reference in cooking book about "French fries" or "fritte" is in a Belgium book from 1680...

[jb]

Bruno,

While I don't expect a gardener to understand all this stuff, the fact remains, if the American market did not exist for EU finished goods, the EU would cease to exist. It's very simple, no matter how cute your widget is, if no one wants it or can afford it, you will go out of business.  

Considering the European Union's decision not to spend money on self defense, its unsustainable entitlements, and it's huge social welfare system, where does the money come from?  Frankly, these are the things which are the contributing factors to its ultimate demise.  Trust me on this, the EU, and old Europe, is in the toilet as we speak.

And the EU is not the USA's # 1 trading partner, Canada is, and probably will always be # 1.

France and Germany, the biggest economic factors of the EU, have in the past concentrated their efforts to sell weapons and nuclear technology to the rogue nations of the world, Iraq before, more lately Iran, Syria, and North Korea.  Our inspectors examined those places in Iraq after the first gulf war, all the bad stuff had labels that said "Made in France" or "Made in Germany".  I guess in the EU, the motto is "sell grandma's soul to make a buck".  Yet they are the ones who sit on the sidelines at the UN and yell; "PEACE AT ANY PRICE~!" or, "NO WAR IS JUSTIFIED~!".  How can you hand a gun to the thug, and not expect him to use it?

Bruno, you cut and paste volumes of material from the internet, which I don't think you've actually read or understood.  You need to take a little time to educate yourself about what's happening in the real world outside your garden.

Peace out


P.S.... Better yet, try marketing your goods and services in India and China.  Those are two most densely populated nations on the earth, let's see how many working class folks from China can afford a BMW or a Mercedes, let alone expensive Belgium chocolates, Danish hams, and French perfumes.  Ask if the average asian wants, can afford, or needs to buy those things which keep the EU economy afloat. Most of those guys are eating a rice ball a day and riding a bicycle to work.    You guys don't pay much attention to  attention to your neighbors to the west, do you?

Way too focused on the USD.

[Bruno]

Bruno,

While I don't expect a gardener to understand all this stuff... Bruno, you cut and paste volumes of material from the internet, which I don't think you've actually read or understood. You need to take a little time to educate yourself about what's happening in the real world outside your garden... Peace out... Better yet, try marketing your goods and services in India and China. Most of those guys are eating a rice ball a day and riding a bicycle to work.

Ok, peace but some detail... i am gardener now... but i have two college diploma ( A2 ), one universitaire ( A1 )... i have a B2 and B1 in my speciality ( who is not gardener )... i have work one year in the SDRA ( service de renseignement des armées ) ... and nine year in the Navy... I have certainly visit more country and city that you have see in all your life...

But since the personal experience of a non-US citizen have no value to the eyes of the people from these forum, i use my time for read and publish links who prove what i say...

About China, our last commercial delegation is just back, with several contracts... and forget about these guys with bicycle... in short time, will appear the first chiness auto in Europa... only 5000 euro... and from good quality... the mega-city from china are more modern that these from EU and USA...

Gardener is my actual work... it is not my full life, my education, my experience... don't judge on the apperance...