China threatens Trade War with EU over Carbon Tax on Airlines

[Cassandra Syndrome]

I suspect if you look at the trade between Europe as a whole and China you'll discover that much of what we import from China we really don't need and could grow/make it ourselves within Europe, albeit a tad more expensively, but what China gets from Europe it really needs, so I think this would work to our benefit overall. The 30s and 40s aren't really good baselines to evaluate the European market because at the time most of the key players had just about ceased trying to eradicate the others and were fixing to start all over again.

We could make what we need if the EU would p1ss off and act like a free trade block rather than a megalomaniac central planninng control freak. over 50% of the EU GDP is government expenditure, in China its just 20%. We can't compete when we have si many rules, regulations and EU directives to circumvent which cripples small to medium size businesses. They have to resort to outsourcing not because of wage rates as many people believe, but because of the restrictive overhead costs of doing business.

If Henry Ford could produce cheap cars and pay his workers the equivalent of €100,000 Gross Irish wages today, 100 years ago, we should be able to do the same. What's the difference?

[Analyzer]

Brussels produces a lot of methane itself, and there is never even the slightest hint an apology....

[walrusgumble]

I suspect if you look at the trade between Europe as a whole and China you'll discover that much of what we import from China we really don't need and could grow/make it ourselves within Europe, albeit a tad more expensively, but what China gets from Europe it really needs, so I think this would work to our benefit overall. The 30s and 40s aren't really good baselines to evaluate the European market because at the time most of the key players had just about ceased trying to eradicate the others and were fixing to start all over again.

YEah, but doesn't Europe need to export goods, raw materials and services to places like China? Will the Chinese not hike up the prices of EU goods coming into China, assuming they can get them elsewhere?

Maybe Athlone should not be letting the Chinese into IReland , making it easier for them to sell their crap in Europe?

[Tombo]

This new law doesn't seem to treat Chinese airlines differently from EU airlines. What are the grounds for sanctions?

No grounds from a WTO point of view (although China aren't a WTO member, so that is irrelevant). However, the Chinese would be pissed off that this is a rent seeking activity. The EU will charge a foreign own airline a proportion of their total costs of flying long haul to and from their destination. It is a con and the airlines and foreign governments (who watch the EU effectively tax international activity) see it as it is. A big f_uck you.


We're the losers as well as the foreigners. It is just that we are letting our goverments screw us over. Americans and Chinese at least have governments standing up for the interests of their electorates.

[Ulster-Lad]

The Chinese are also holding off on some Airbus contracts at the moment until this is resolved.

http://www.transportweekly.com/pages...rticles/87970/

[seabhcan]

although China aren't a WTO member, so that is irrelevant

They have been for 10 years.

WTO | China - Member information

[Tombo]

They have been for 10 years.

WTO | China - Member information

Still no cause.

[Ulster-Lad]

Airlines for America spokesman Steve Lott said the group was troubled that the EU law requires none of the monies collected to be used for environmental purposes.

"Considering the state of many European countries, we have strong reason to believe a lot of governments will use this money to help pay off their debts and financial problems," he said.

EU carbon law likely to raise air fares to Europe | Reuters

It appears to be nothing more then another money making scheme or stealth tax.

[b.a. baracus]

I suspect that if you knew the first thing about economics you would realise what an idiot you appear to those that do.

Have you been taking charm lessons from CRPSTUS? Rather than dismissing people like an ignorant buffoon it is normal to offer an alternative point of view to prove the person is wrong rather than resorting to crass insults.

Anyway the ironing is delicious:

No grounds from a WTO point of view (although China aren't a WTO member, so that is irrelevant)..

Should we refer to you as an idiot too?

[Ulster-Lad]

The Russians are not happy with this either.

Russia fires first shot in EU aviation emissions trade war

Simmering tensions between the EU and the group of countries opposed to the bloc's expansion of its emissions trading scheme (ETS) to include aviation increased further today, after officials signalled that the so-called "coalition of the unwilling" had agreed a package of retaliatory measures.

Speaking following a meeting in Moscow of the group of 26 countries opposed to the new EU carbon pricing mechanism, Russia's deputy transport minister Valery Okulov told reporters diplomats had agreed a package of measures the countries could now use to undermine the scheme.

Russia fires first shot in EU aviation emissions trade war | Environment | guardian.co.uk