Democrats Fall Short in Effort to Rebuke Administration on Russia Sanctions

[TU Curmudgeon]

One is the second largest producer of Aluminium in the world. Presumably, US companies want to be able to buy aluminum and other goods they produce.

But doesn't that defeat the purpose of the 25% tariffs that Mr. Trump placed on imported aluminum - to foster the growth of an American aluminum production industry?

Well, OK, so that tariff still impacts America's most dangerous enemy - Canada - but how would flooding the American market with cheap Russian aluminum help the American aluminum production industry thrive?

Oh - right - you don't make aluminum from coal so that's OK.

 

[TU Curmudgeon]

And maybe they can disband NATO as a peace offering.

Unfortunately they simply cannot do that.

Of course the US could leave NATO - but then how would Mr. Trump be able to complain about how the US is paying more than its fair share of the costs of NATO (which, when you actually consider the actual amounts that the US spends on "European Defence" turns out not to be true in any event since the US per capita share of the amount spent on "NATO defence" is lower than the percentage of the total population of the NATO countries that is American).

 

[dcsports]

But doesn't that defeat the purpose of the 25% tariffs that Mr. Trump placed on imported aluminum - to foster the growth of an American aluminum production industry?

Well, OK, so that tariff still impacts America's most dangerous enemy - Canada - but how would flooding the American market with cheap Russian aluminum help the American aluminum production industry thrive?

Oh - right - you don't make aluminum from coal so that's OK.

I'll respond - even though this appears to be another 'bash Trump' post, without any real substance.

I'm not familiar with the nuances of the tariff system - it's pretty complex, and is a moving target. However, according to the article, each exception must be separately applied for and individually reviewed. This company has had 19 exceptions turned down, and has others on hold. So, no, they aren't going to 'flood the market' but can provide material for this one purpose. The article also noted that they haven't approved any applications where another company objected - no one objected to this application. So, apparently whatever this is, isn't a competitive market.

 

[Threegoofs]

And if anyone was wondering how Russia media (state run fyi) is reacting:

https://twitter.com/JuliaDavisNews/status/1085932928083865600

Julia Davis@JuliaDavisNews

#Russia's state TV reports that for the first time since 2014, the US is lifting sanctions from Russian companies [#Deripaska's Rusal et al.] The host laughs out loud about the Democrats not getting enough votes to block the effort, expresses hope that this is just the beginning.

8:12 AM - 17 Jan 2019

Look at those proud GOP Senators, Russia's newest heroes!

(brings a tear to my eye)

Wow.

Bet this doesn’t show up on our State TV (fox).

 

[Airyaman]

Now what?

U.S. House backs sanctions on Russia's Rusal in symbolic vote