 | Name calling, Tariffs and Sanctions seem to come from the same lizard brain region: lazy, blunt and harsh. Tariffs and Sanctions indicate a lack of effort and a failure to grasp the risks and opportunities. |
Drop Outs: in the past two years we have reneged on the following without better ideas – no plan B proposed!
“Iran Nuclear Deal” (Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action.) The agreement was announced July 14, 2015 and withdrawn from on May 8, 2018.
Under the accord, Iran agreed to limit its sensitive nuclear activities and allow in international inspectors in return for the lifting of crippling economic sanctions.
- Signature Obama Achievement – what else could you call this but envy?
- Hard line Israeli support
- Bellicose advisors (Secretary of State and National Security Advisor)
Paris Climate Agreement – an international agreement to work toward reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. It was considered to be “a turning point for our planet.”
Why Withdraw?
- “Draconian financial and economic burdens”
- Dystopian view of an American economy ravaged by selfish international rivals.
- “I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris”: to which the Pittsburgh Mayor (Bill Peduto) responded “as the Mayor of Pittsburgh, I can assure you that we will follow the guidelines of the Paris Agreement for our people, our economy & future”
Trans Pacific Partnership – TPP was a free trade agreement by 12 nations that have coastlines on the Pacific. 800 million people live in these countries, and they make up 40 percent of the world’s GDP. Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei signed this deal.
The deal continued without the U.S. and is now called The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and includes China, Japan, South Korea, 10 ASEAN countries, India, New Zealand and more – but not the U.S.
Why Withdraw?
- “Horrible Deal – stealing U.S. jobs” – according to the President, notwithstanding reduction of very high tariffs on US products such as autos.
- Obama wanted it.
Brewing: keep an eye on these developments
Nord Stream 2 – natural gas pipeline under the Baltic Sea from Russia to Germany.
“Germany hooks up a pipeline into Russia, where Germany is going to be paying billions of dollars for energy into Russia,” said our President and added, “And I’m saying, “What’s going on with that? How come Germany is paying vast amounts of money to Russia when they hook up a pipeline? That’s not right.”
Trieste, Italy Port – becoming part of China’s One Belt, One Road initiative.
Construction workers in scuba gear have been laying foundations near the site where a new pier is expected to become China’s home in the industrial port. In the years after World War II, the Americans held great sway in Trieste, and Washington has now sought, so far unsuccessfully, to stop Italy’s deal with Mr. Xi, characterizing the Belt and Road Initiative as an economic and potentially military threat.
As we disengage from agreements and hector our friends the U.S. loses leverage and leadership!