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The current tarrif system was agreed upon by the WTO member states including the USA in 1998. All countries had products they wanted protected by tarrifs. The most prominent example are cars. The EU tarrif for cars is 10%, the USA's tarrif is 2.5%. On the other hand the US tarrif on light trucks and SUVs is 25%. [quote user="CMStPnP"]How long have those negotiations been going on with the EU and what results have they brought to the table in the last 25 years? [/quote] It seems that all, including the USA could live with this tarrif system into the 2010s. Negotiations for the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) started in June 2013. In 2016 both countries offered to eliminate 90% of the tarrifs under conditions. [quote user="CMStPnP"] Just like the argument to raise defense contributions to NATO to 2 percent. That has been a United States argument on the table since the late 1970's.[/quote] The 2% of GDP were a requirement for new NATO members in 2001. The old members should try to reach this mark for fairness reason. In 2014 the NATO summit decided "that the NATO member states should aim to reach the guideline of 2% within the next 10 years". That would be 2024. This guidline is not legally binding as it was not implemented in the NATO treaty. Nevertheless the EU counties will rise their defence expenditures where necessary. Up to 2%? At least for Germany 1.5% to 1./% is more likely. The taxpayers see better uses for their money, e.g. handling a crisis before they evolve into wars. [quote user="CMStPnP"] It's not just Trump that is PO'd about it, the taxpayers are PO'd about it.[/quote] I think American taxpayers won't benefit from the the 2% in other countries. The USA won't reduce their defense expenditures, I think. They are partly a large subsidy for non-competetive industries, e.g. ship yards. Regards, Volker
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