Australian warns US of 'trade war'

[Joanne98]

Australia is warning that a watered down "Buy American" clause, passed by the Senate in President Obama's stimulus package, could still spark a trade war.

Australia's Trade Minister Simon Crean says the "Buy American" provision is folly that won't protect jobs.

He says the US Congress must be convinced to completely strip it from the stimulus bill.

"It will stifle economic growth, it will set the recovery back years," said Mr Crean.

After European and Canadian warnings of a trade war, US Senators watered down the "Buy American" provision.

But the Senate rejected a bid to remove the provision completely.

http://www.radioaustralianews.net.au/stories/200902/2483793.htm?desktop

As far as I'm concerned, they can just throw the stimulus right in the toilet.

[Deja Q]

1. When's the last time anybody bought Australian?

Still, they do have a point. The last thing anybody wants is a trade war. Then again, looking at, what, 80% of what's imported, somebody else has been firing bazookas for some time now.

[Waiting For Everyman]

2. I'd love a nice juicy trade war.

It would force us to rebuild our industries - fast. I'd say that would be a definite economic stimulus. The right kind.

It amazes me that nobody's self-respect is at all offended by being blackmailed and bullied by a whole lineup of vultures, demanding our tax money.

And then, at the same time we hear whining about the cost. What a load of bull! Why not just write the extortioners a check for whatever they demand, and stop the pretense of having a stimulus at all. It's just like the mafia demanding protection money.

We should make the "Buy America" clause in the stimulus stricter with each "complaint" we get. Then let them try to make a court case out of it. They can't, not a one of them, because each and every one is more protectionist than we are.

I love the argument that we "need" them. The "need" arose from handing them one indistry after another, that we used to supply for our market ourselves. As if we couldn't do that again. Like it's impossible. Shoot, it was only 30 years ago. Give me a break!

Cowards, traitors, and greedaholics, all of them. All the kind who would sell their mothers if a fleeting profit was in it. And it's the same labor exploitation all over the world.

Want to change the global economy? Say "no" to predators. Let the trade war begin. Rush funding back into textiles, electronics, cars, everything. Oh, and nationalize banking and oil. Let them huff and puff and try to blow the house down. IF they have the balls and austerity to actually do without selling to us only what WE choose to buy. I doubt that, very much.

At the very least, it would put us in a perfect opening re-bargaining position to say for once, "bring it on".

P.S. Matter of fact, here's a perfect way to defuse their threats... If they do "retaliate", revoke every work visa from their country... it's a can't lose situation.