re: What tariffs did France or the EU have on US imports before Trump?

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The better question is why do you dislike The United States? Why not have true “free trade”?

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The thing that really irritates the shite out of me are people that say the U.S. shouldn't really be concerned with a trade imbalance because we are more or less a service economy. A trade imbalance is not a big deal. The implied rational is that the U.S. really can't compete on products globally.

I say that is absolutely incorrect. If the U.S. had a much more level playing field from a tariff standpoint we would manufacture and export more products. If the U.S. can't compete on manufacturing and products, then why are our goods hit hard with tariffs in the EU, China, etc...> Makes no sense to say we can't compete and then turn around and hit us with substantial tariffs.

I get France likes its 33 hour work week but come on.