tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post5320671606697513502..comments2024-03-28T07:56:09.239-07:00Comments on Navy Matters: Open PostComNavOpshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-42530295373376676372018-06-12T18:18:41.866-07:002018-06-12T18:18:41.866-07:00I understand why you may not agree. However I feel...I understand why you may not agree. However I feel these are better sources than opinion pieces on Fox News. <br /><br />If you think I’m kidding, please look up the unanimous support for our Prime Minister in parliament yesterday. <br /><br />How are all y’all doing with bipartisan agreements. <br /><br />We have three and a bit governing party and they all loathe Trump. Hmmm. Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-33084501511623461872018-06-12T18:14:49.108-07:002018-06-12T18:14:49.108-07:00Why was there fall out between Trump and Canada af...Why was there fall out between Trump and Canada after the G7 summit in June 2018? by Jeremy Arnold https://www.quora.com/Why-was-there-fall-out-between-Trump-and-Canada-after-the-G7-summit-in-June-2018/answer/Jeremy-Arnold-4?share=51496506&srid=3n92dGeorgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-49002862220609877482018-06-12T13:17:59.179-07:002018-06-12T13:17:59.179-07:00This is from Brian Teeter. Explains the real situa...This is from Brian Teeter. Explains the real situation quite well. <br /><br />Donald Trump is having a hissy fit over alleged Canadian dairy products. Below are some facts to consider:<br /><br />U.S. goods and services trade with Canada totaled an estimated $673.9 billion in 2017. Exports were $341.2 billion; imports were $332.8 billion. The U.S. goods and services trade SURPLUS with Canada was $8.4 billion in 2017. (Source: US Department of Commerce)<br /><br />Already, the U.S. charges high tariffs on Canada's products (outside quota):<br /><br />• Sour cream 187.8%<br /><br />• Peanuts, in shell 163%, shelled 131%<br /><br />• Peanut butter 131%<br /><br />• Modified whey 63.2%<br /><br />• Fresh blue cheese 49.8%<br /><br />• Blended syrup 36.9%<br /><br />• Cream 35.3%<br /><br />• Sugar 25%<br /><br />• Dehydrated yogurt 53.5%<br /><br />• Malted milk 54.1%<br /><br />• Butter substitute dairy spreads 46.8%<br /><br />• Margarine cheese 44.2%<br /><br />• Baby formula 27.2%-38.4%<br /><br />• Butter 22.1%<br /><br />• Cheddar cheese 18.9%<br /><br />Source: Improving transparency in international trade and market access”<br /><br />Please note there are quotas in both directions. High tariffs apply once you exceed quotas. <br /><br />As I forecast, this disagreement is escalating fast. Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-12561734564847941272018-06-09T06:39:04.477-07:002018-06-09T06:39:04.477-07:00The more I look into this, the more I see that Can...The more I look into this, the more I see that Canada has been engaging in unfair trade practices all along. From a Fox News opinion piece,<br /><br />"Macron and Trudeau will sanctimoniously decry the supposed death of free trade at the hand of Trump. In reality, they are defending a managed trade system that holds the U.S. at a disadvantage.<br /><br />All of the other G-7 countries have higher tariffs on the United States than we have on them.<br /><br />For example, France and other EU countries levy a 10 percent tariff on imported U.S. cars, but we only charge a 2.5 percent levy on European imports.<br /><br />Canada has tariffs of about 270 percent on U.S. dairy products, 70 percent on sausage, and 27 percent on beef, to name just a few.<br /><br />These counties also have non-tariff barriers to free trade, which include massive Canadian subsidization of its lumber industry that puts American companies at a disadvantage.<br /><br />It is not a surprise that Europe and Canada want to preserve a trading system that is stacked in their favor and has enabled them to build a huge trade surpluses with the United States."<br /><br />Trump is doing the right thing to try to put the US on fairer footing. If other countries get upset about that, so be it.ComNavOpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-35238028007627204212018-06-04T14:33:30.013-07:002018-06-04T14:33:30.013-07:00Goods only the US has a deficit with Canada. Goods...Goods only the US has a deficit with Canada. Goods and services there is a 12B surplus. <br /><br />Steel trade is pretty much equal. There is a reason for the trade, it’s primarily specialty steels.<br /><br />There is little doubt that NAFTA is toast. Trump has clearly stated he wants bilateral deals. <br /><br />Canada has all kinds of tarrifs and restrictive practices. The most grating ones to the US regard our dairy industry. We tend not to be quite so arbitrary changing their structure however. <br /><br />We obviously aren’t going to agree. I see a not-so-slow-motion train wreck happening. You see not much beyond a minor squabble if I understand correctly. <br /><br />We can revisit after events unfold and you have another open post. <br /><br />As the ancient Chinese curse goes, may we live in interesting times. Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-34105887051272798532018-06-04T14:03:11.057-07:002018-06-04T14:03:11.057-07:00"Canada buys $2 billion dollars per year more..."Canada buys $2 billion dollars per year more steel from the US than we sell to the US."<br /><br />You need to get your facts straight. Here's a Canadian source,<br /><br /><a href="http://www.canadiansteel.ca/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/CSPA_CAN-US-Steel-Trade_Public.pdf" rel="nofollow">Steel Trade</a><br /><br />"In 2016, over 10 million MT of steel, worth over $11.8 billion, was traded between our two countries, with Canada shipping $5.87 billion to the U.S (5.4MMT), and the U.S. shipping $5.96 billion (4.7MMT) to Canada."<br /><br />That's about as even and balanced as you can get!<br /><br />The document states flatly,<br /><br />"The Canada-US steel trade dynamic is fairly -traded<br />and evenly balanced."ComNavOpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-70300282901434353452018-06-04T13:58:11.586-07:002018-06-04T13:58:11.586-07:00"And now some people want to blow it all up&q..."And now some people want to blow it all up"<br /><br />Trump, and a slim majority of the American people, believe that we have entered into some very bad deals over the last decade or so. Trump is looking out for American interests - the same as Canadian leaders do for their country and people. <br /><br />Take a deep breath and relax. No one is looking to crush Canada. That would be foolish. Trump is just trying to adjust some of our trade relationships a bit.<br /><br />You understand that Canada applies duties (tariffs) and trade "adjustments" to imports from other countries, don't you? Where's the hysteria about that? Or is it okay when Canada does it for its own betterment but not when another country does it?<br /><br />Seriously, relax. ComNavOpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-75973628134926936682018-06-04T13:51:35.501-07:002018-06-04T13:51:35.501-07:00"There is absolutely no indication that anyon..."There is absolutely no indication that anyone is prepared to back down. If they don’t, escalation is inevitable and as the acrimony grows, all kinds of previously unthinkable things will be on the table."<br /><br />Again, good grief. This is just standard negotiating tactics. No one believes any catastrophe will ensue. Both sides posture and then eventually come to an agreement. This is just business 101.ComNavOpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-11258818108018019142018-06-04T13:49:32.485-07:002018-06-04T13:49:32.485-07:00"This action violates NAFTA rules."
Wha..."This action violates NAFTA rules."<br /><br />What rules? I don't know the details of NAFTA at all. Educate me on this.<br /><br />More generally, Trump believes that NAFTA was/is not a good deal for the US and is looking to renegotiate.ComNavOpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-4274474296081667202018-06-04T13:48:02.014-07:002018-06-04T13:48:02.014-07:00"Canada has moved from being a fully integrat..."Canada has moved from being a fully integrated trusted partner in the US military supply chain to being a national security risk in the space of a couple of days."<br /><br />Oh good grief. That's not even remotely correct. Canada is not a national security risk to the US. No one is saying that except you. The national security risk to the US is our lack of internal steel production. To remedy that, Trump has imposed steel tariffs on (everyone?). Don't be dramatic (and wrong!).ComNavOpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-73289137789945910202018-06-04T13:45:02.262-07:002018-06-04T13:45:02.262-07:00"The US has a $12 billion trading surplus wit..."The US has a $12 billion trading surplus with Canada."<br /><br />No. Here's what I'm seeing. If you don't believe this then produce some numbers and a source.<br /><br />"... data from Statistics Canada says the U.S. had a $14.6 billion trade deficit for goods and services with its neighbor to the north in 2016, according to Bloomberg."ComNavOpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-49297622524704965802018-06-04T13:17:54.900-07:002018-06-04T13:17:54.900-07:00Also:
https://youtu.be/dh3mKgkgWFcAlso:<br /><br />https://youtu.be/dh3mKgkgWFcGeorgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-80999222241761559332018-06-04T13:09:36.291-07:002018-06-04T13:09:36.291-07:00If you have a few minutes this is worth watching. ...If you have a few minutes this is worth watching. <br /><br />https://youtu.be/NlXySViigWAGeorgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-14076491794387905612018-06-04T12:59:36.574-07:002018-06-04T12:59:36.574-07:00I suggest keeping a close eye on the G7 meeting in...I suggest keeping a close eye on the G7 meeting in Canada this week. <br /><br />We may learn a lot about how this will play out. Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-47077393491055424182018-06-04T12:52:05.506-07:002018-06-04T12:52:05.506-07:00The US has a $12 billion trading surplus with Cana...The US has a $12 billion trading surplus with Canada. Even Trump has admitted he’s lying now. <br /><br />Canada buys $2 billion dollars per year more steel from the US than we sell to the US. <br /><br />You buy cheap aluminum from us because we have cheap hydro power that you can’t match. <br /><br />Here are the really important points. <br /><br />1. This action violates NAFTA rules. <br /><br />2. This action violates WTO rules. <br /><br />3. Canada has moved from being a fully integrated trusted partner in the US military supply chain to being a national security risk in the space of a couple of days. <br /><br />This is obviously ridiculous, but it’s also deeply insulting and our public is more than annoyed. <br /><br />4. The worst result is that the US is no longer seen as a reliable partner. That is unfortunately going to resonate for years. Long beyond the life of this administration. <br /><br />There is absolutely no indication that anyone is prepared to back down. If they don’t, escalation is inevitable and as the acrimony grows, all kinds of previously unthinkable things will be on the table. <br /><br />If Trump succeeds in convincing the rest of the world that the US wants to be on their own, that’s exactly what’s going to happen. With the Chinese likely picking up the slack. <br /><br />Current policy is a long way from Bretton Woods. And Bretton Woods is deeply significant as the world commerce and trading structure was very largely designed and built to suit the US. And it’s arguably worked very well. <br /><br />And now some people want to blow it all up. Not cool. Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-53042486538675398662018-06-04T05:49:53.704-07:002018-06-04T05:49:53.704-07:00"With the greatest respect, I believe you are..."With the greatest respect, I believe you are completely wrong. <br /><br />If anything I am understating the issue, possibly by orders of magnitude. "<br /><br />Hey, I readily admit that international trade is not my area of expertise and I could be totally wrong!<br /><br />I guess I'm failing to grasp what aspect of this you see as being so ?harmful? to Canada. Every country has duties/tariffs applied to the goods it exports. It's a pretty normal occurrence.<br /><br />I'm missing the part that you think is so horrendous. Feel free to enlighten me and I mean that sincerely. This is an area I'm not terribly knowledgeable about and if you can educate me, I'll be appreciative!ComNavOpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-92192387214541753342018-06-03T19:32:13.409-07:002018-06-03T19:32:13.409-07:00With the greatest respect, I believe you are compl...With the greatest respect, I believe you are completely wrong. <br /><br />If anything I am understating the issue, possibly by orders of magnitude. <br /><br />I guess you are unaware that Canadian participation in US supply chains (including military) is considered normal. Not something to be scared of. <br /><br />I’m going to sit back and watch this mess escalate. <br /><br />We can chat about our respective viewpoints once events unfold. Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-40958412395007470802018-06-02T07:46:09.456-07:002018-06-02T07:46:09.456-07:00There is zero possibility of Canada pulling out of...There is zero possibility of Canada pulling out of defense agreements so I have no analysis to offer. One could just as well ask what the implications are if Canada were to launch an invasion of America? It's too ridiculous to be worth devoting any thought to. So, that takes care of the geo-political aspect of defense agreements.<br /><br />Here's a few random thoughts regarding tariffs.<br /><br />-The US produces on around 5% of the world's steel. That is a strategic weakness for the US and that is what Trump is attempting to rectify. He is trying to shore up the US' steel industry.<br /><br />-Canada is engaged in its own steel industry protectionism with a host of duties (another word for tariffs) applied to steel imports from various countries and various protectionist laws and regulations. For Canada to claim shock and outrage over American tariffs is a bit disingenuous.<br /><br />-All countries try to manipulate tariffs and laws to favor their own industries and all countries complain when it is done to them, in turn. It's all part of the global jockeying for market share and advantage and is a continuous process.<br /><br />-China's steel dumping practices are the main culprit and are what both the US and Canada should be working on together.<br /><br />You're making far more out of this than there is. It will resolve itself in relatively short order.ComNavOpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-38363509895273845822018-06-02T00:14:01.984-07:002018-06-02T00:14:01.984-07:00GAO reporting the V-22 Osprey tilt rotor makes it ...GAO reporting the V-22 Osprey tilt rotor makes it into the top five, fifth most expensive current weapon system.<br /><br />#1 F-35 $366 billion<br />#2 Burkes $123 billion<br />#3 Virginia SSNs $96 billion<br />#4 MDA GBI $67 billion<br />#5 V-22 Osprey $64 billion<br /><br />https://www.gao.gov/assets/700/692136.pdfNickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12567148391327455726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-55937822958004883282018-06-01T20:39:38.338-07:002018-06-01T20:39:38.338-07:00http://nationalpost.com/news/economy/trump-appease...http://nationalpost.com/news/economy/trump-appeasement-fails-so-trudeau-takes-the-gloves-off/wcm/37f7fa48-654b-4baf-b79c-dfe3aa48cbbd?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#link_time=1527872398Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-89904517389001944062018-06-01T19:58:43.856-07:002018-06-01T19:58:43.856-07:00Trade issues, especially among friends, are just t...Trade issues, especially among friends, are just temporary disputes and are easily and eventually resolved. If Canada wants to pull out of defense agreements they should consider that they can't defend themselves against an angry Boy Scout troop let alone any serious enemy.<br /><br />Posturing aside, I doubt there's any serious problems between the US and Canada.“<br /><br />I was expecting about a 70% reply rate along these lines, however I expect more geo-political thinking from you. <br /><br />You are roughly 180* out from accurate on the trade issues, but this is not the forum. <br /><br />Who has Canada pissed off in recent times apart from their dubious adventures/partnerships with the US?<br /><br />I started my career in the Air Force in 1971 as an Air Defense tech. NORAD. ANd I worked closely with my American compatriots, as did my father before me. I’ve worked all over the world in close cooperation with my American colleagues in the oilfield. Hell, I lived in Florida for 4 years working for Citrix Systems and miss it to this day. <br /><br />What I’m seeing now is an aberration. <br /><br />The current administration has annoyed the Canadian government to the point they are taking a stand. This is unheard of in Canada-US relations. And it’s polling at 80% plus approval. <br /><br />So the question stands. <br /><br />What are the strategic and tactical considerations if Canada feels they have to pull out of NORAD?Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-91243489531531875932018-06-01T19:02:55.611-07:002018-06-01T19:02:55.611-07:00I assume you're referring to Canada. I don...I assume you're referring to Canada. I don't begin to pretend to understand the complexities of trade but my very vague understanding is that the Administration is looking to address:<br /><br />1. Trade deficit - The US has around a $18B trade deficit with Canada and tariffs are one way to correct that.<br /><br />2. National security - the tariffs on steel are intended to significantly increase US steel production since steel is required for military construction.<br /><br />3. Unfair trade agreements (NAFTA) - The Administration considers the NAFTA agreement to be unfair and is looking to use tariffs to create leverage to renegotiate the agreement.<br /><br />Trade issues, especially among friends, are just temporary disputes and are easily and eventually resolved. If Canada wants to pull out of defense agreements they should consider that they can't defend themselves against an angry Boy Scout troop let alone any serious enemy.<br /><br />Posturing aside, I doubt there's any serious problems between the US and Canada.ComNavOpshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09669644332369727431noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-3870868774639727012018-06-01T18:00:08.171-07:002018-06-01T18:00:08.171-07:00General Sir John Hackett. 1985 give or take.
The ...General Sir John Hackett. 1985 give or take. <br />The Third World War: The Untold StoryGeorgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-61829557559668749712018-06-01T17:55:27.197-07:002018-06-01T17:55:27.197-07:00While we have an open post.
Some very odd things...While we have an open post. <br /><br />Some very odd things happened over the last couple of days. One of your best buds just had punitive tariffs levied against them. They retaliated. <br /><br />I expect further escalation. <br /><br />For the group here:<br /><br />Please consider the strategic and tactical effects of Canada pulling out of NORAD and rescinding military airspace access and basing. <br /><br />It’s not so far fetched if this nonsense doesn’t stop. <br /><br />The G7 meeting next week is going to be G6 + 1. Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5579907756656776056.post-10089156295104586542018-06-01T17:49:51.741-07:002018-06-01T17:49:51.741-07:00Indeed. The history of the Third World War. Fulda ...Indeed. The history of the Third World War. Fulda gap and all. Riveting narrative. Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17731178888696691472noreply@blogger.com