NationStates Jolt Archive

Just when you thought the world was safe from the A380, another story pops up. The EU and Airbus have decided to extort the sale of six A380s by the Thai government. In a scotsman (http://news.scotsman.com/topics.cfm?tid=591&id=66782005) story , the details of the deal are spelled out. Here are the lead paragraphs.


TSUNAMI-struck Thailand has been told by the European Commission that it must buy six A380 Airbus aircraft if it wants to escape the tariffs against its fishing industry.

While millions of Europeans are sending aid to Thailand to help its recovery, trade authorities in Brussels are demanding that Thai Airlines, its national carrier, pays £1.3 billion to buy its double-decker aircraft.


Extortion is the right word to use here, isn't it? I mean Thailand looks like it's in a tight spot whether it buys the airplanes or lets the EU put a tarif on the fish. Surely this is all a mistake and the story is just plain wrong, isn't it?

Surely this is all a mistake and the story is just plain wrong, isn't it?

I'd hope so...

Didnt you make this exact thread hours ago?

Yes, but we Europeans are all evil people who want the rest of the world to suffer, and to ruin the American economy by pouring money into our companies and forcing American firms out of business. We don't care at all about anyone outside the EU, and all goose-step about in jackboots. Apparently.

Yes, but we Europeans are all evil people who want the rest of the world to suffer, and to ruin the American economy by pouring money into our companies and forcing American firms out of business. We don't care at all about anyone outside the EU, and all goose-step about in jackboots. Apparently.
I suspected as much.

Yes, but we Europeans are all evil people who want the rest of the world to suffer, and to ruin the American economy by pouring money into our companies and forcing American firms out of business. We don't care at all about anyone outside the EU, and all goose-step about in jackboots. Apparently.
This is what happens when you combine the germans and the french into a single government. Scary.

Of coruse the fact that Thailand has money reserves of about $140 billion is ignored...

I call bullshit.

This is what happens when you combine the germans and the french into a single government. Scary.
See now I have visions of a franco-german superpower invading everywhere then immediately surrendering.

See now I have visions of a franco-german superpower invading everywhere then immediately surrendering.

All the equipment would work perfectly, and never once break down. Problem is, half the troops would leg it at the first sign of any form of danger, including a thorny bush or something.

You seem not to have read the own article you posted, the negotiations for the trade off were being made BEFORE the tsunami.. or are you implying that the EU sent a tsunami against the thais as a warning? lol.

are you implying that the EU sent a tsunami against the thais as a warning? lol.
Ssshht...thats supposed to be a secret.

You seem not to have read the own article you posted, the negotiations for the trade off were being made BEFORE the tsunami.. or are you implying that the EU sent a tsunami against the thais as a warning? lol.
I did read it. I expected that I would find the deal either permanently or temporarily suspended. Instead, I found news of additional tariffs on cumarin, which is used to make perfume. That tariff was imposed AFTER the tsunami. If one branch of government is sending aid, shouldn't the others ease off. I mean Thailand isn't going to compete with Norway in the prawn market any time soon, is it?