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Thursday, August 9th, 2018

Europe, Russia and China Defy Trump on Iran Sanctions

Author:     Juan Cole
Source:     truthdig
Publication Date:     AUG 08, 2018 Europe
 Link: Europe, Russia and China Defy Trump on Iran Sanctions
Stephan:   This isn't getting much attention in the media because the endless stories of the Republican presidential and congressional corruption and mafia-like behavior just devour all media attention. But I see this as a big deal, because it is yet another example of how Trump is diminishing the standing of the United States in the world community. Basically, we are now being seen  as a second-rate culture notable mainly for having a very big army, and a propensity for bullying. China, which is a serious economic powerhouse and nuclear power, and Russia which is a failed kleptocracy with an economy smaller than New York, and just a bit bigger than Florida, but is nuclear-armed, are both moving quickly to replace the U.S. on the world stage. Historians are going to see Trump as geopolitically the worse president in American history.

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani

A further round of sanctions by Donald Trump against Iran went into effect Tuesday, but the president is failing to get buy-in from allies and rivals, who pledge to keep dealing with Iran.

Chinese automakers are flooding into Iran to replace French car companies there.  China has pledged to pay no attention to the Trump threats.

VOAnews writes:

State-owned and private auto companies currently assembling or importing Chinese models have a nearly 10 percent share of the Iranian market, which analysts say will likely expand rapidly in the wake of the French departure. Chinese enterprises currently command a 50 percent share of auto parts imported into Iran.

The European Union has signaled that it may impose substantial fines on European firms that pull out of Iran deals over fear of Trump’s unilateral U.S. Treasury Department sanctions.

It is likely that smaller European companies that trade with Iran but have no relationship with the U.S. will continue their relationship with the Islamic republic, using euros and non-U.S. banks. But large firms, such as French […]

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