I think any deal concluded with Trump will be foremost to the benefit of the USA, we can't expect any favours in the weak bargaining position we're currently in. For all the criticism he takes Trump is a smart and ruthless operator and will press home any advantage regardless of any 'special relationship'...
Add to that the fact that in Europe VW have got away with the emissions scandal whereas in the US they have had to pay punitive fines and compensation...
May be that's because you don't live here! Industry and commerce are the life-blood of this country. They pay for all the vital public services. I would have thought someone who lives in Germany would understand that, Cologne, given that Germany handles such aspects so efficiently
I hear what you say. Germans seem to find it in them to put up with the hypocrisy - her approval ratings are good despite uncontrolled immigration and consequent well publicised problems
I think German efficiency is good by comparison only. I've never met a German who thinks their country is efficient, or especially well organised. Though it always feels very efficient, and polite and clean, whenever I am there.
Even if it is, what is stopping our government doing something about emissions busting cars (many more makes than VW involved), especially with the current air quality crisis? I have a VW company car, which I am pretty sure is one of the guilty vehicles. I have heard nothing from either VW or the lease company. I ask about it at each service and get an evasive mumble in response. It pisses me off because I am bored with it and want to give it back (a first world problem admittedly),
Agree entirely about the EU. But I don't think the Germans can be blamed for not fining their own industry. It's up to the regulators - unless the regulators are under the influence of German paymasters...
I know someone who had a VW who had the engine mapping reset to correct the emissions but has had nothing but problems since...
The EU is responsible for directives relating to car emissions. I'm no expert here, but I would have thought the UK government would open themselves up to law suits from car manufacturers if it took the law into its own hands and brought in extra regulations that discriminated against one (possibly foreign) car over another. This restriction should not apply after 2019.
This country is efficient on everything which has to do with exports, but little else. Its public transport system was run down to benefit the car industry and is still average in EU. terms. Its school system is around average and its health system inferior to France or Italy. Because it is an export driven economy it does not need internal spending power and has allowed that to decay - a quarter of all German workers earn less than the French minimum wage. Other than those working for eg. Daimler or Bayer the majority of people here would bite your hand off for the living standards of Denmark.
Denmark has a decent welfare state - and high labour productivity - something sadly lacking in the UK
It also has a 60% income tax rate for those earning over $55k. Fair swap if you ask me, but many may disagree. Member states can take action through the ECJ mate, if the Commission is dragging its feet. But it's not in this case, quite the reverse. http://www.independent.co.uk/news/b...er-volkswagen-emissions-scandal-a7462936.html
My mother used to worked in an aircraft factory just outside Hamburg. She never liked it much during her stay there in 1943, just wanted to get home to her family in Denmark.
Jacob Rees-Mogg is being touted as a candidate for next Tory leader, and de facto PM. The Tories really have their finger on the pulse don't they.
His Dad was a pillar of the establishment, but a properly principled English gent. They say talent skips a generation so perhaps a couple of Jake's six kids will get some. Though Jake is clearly outstanding at impregnation. Or very poor at contraception.
No wonder our public services are in such a mess. Successive governments since Thatcher's have tried to pay as little as possible for them. So where is it all going? Or did I miss the meaning of your inclusion of that critical word 'vital'?
