U.S. fails to reassure Europe, Japan over 'Trumponomics'

[DonViejo]

Source: Reuters



Sat May 13, 2017 | 1:50pm EDT

By David Lawder and William Schomberg | BARI, ITALY

The United States said on Saturday the world's other rich economies were getting used to the policy plans of President Donald Trump, but Europe and Japan showed they remained worried about Washington's shift.

Officials from the Group of Seven nations met in southern Italy hoping to hear more about Trump's plans which they fear will revive protectionism and set back the global approach to issues such as banking reform and climate change.

-snip-

"All the six others ... said explicitly, and sometimes very directly, to the representatives of the U.S. administration that it is absolutely necessary to continue with the same spirit of international cooperation," French Finance Minister Michel Sapin told reporters.

Bank of France Governor Francois Villeroy de Galhau said there was a "light breeze" of optimism within the G7 about the recovering global economy after years of sluggish growth following the financial crisis that began nearly a decade ago. But he said the continued uncertainty about the direction of U.S. policy represented a risk, echoing comments made on Friday by Japanese Finance Minister Taro Aso.

"We must not backpedal on free trade as it has contributed to economic prosperity," Aso said.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-g7-usa-mnuchin-idUSKBN1890FP

[elleng]

1. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Steven Mnuchin attends a news conference during a G7

for Financial ministers, in the southern Italian city of Bari, Italy May 13, 2017.

'U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said the United States reserved the right to be protectionist if it thought trade was not free or fair.

"We do not want to be protectionist but we reserve our right to be protectionist to the extent that we believe trade is not free and fair... Our approach is for more balanced trade, and people have heard that," Mnuchin told reporters at the end of the two-day meeting.

"And as I say, people are more comfortable today, now that they've had the opportunity to spend time with me and listen to the president and hear our economic message."

Other ministers from the G7 countries made it clear they did not share his view.'>>>

Thanks for this, DonViejo. The views and actions of the world may be more important now than ever in our lifetimes.

[jimmil]

2. All the other countries...

Simply have to look at what policies make Trump richer. That will be the path the US takes.

[Dawson Leery]

3. For the time being, the world needs to avoid buying

American and British goods.
Germany will likely vote for the good side in the fall.

Audi Allroad here I come!

[czarjak]

4. RUT-ROW....