Europe moves to safeguard interests in Iran after U.S. pullout

[rooster59]

Europe moves to safeguard interests in Iran after U.S. pullout

By Paul Carrel and Leigh Thomas

 

FILE PHOTO: French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel wave after Macron was awarded Charlemagne Prize in Aachen, Germany May 10, 2018. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay/File Photo

 

BERLIN/PARIS (Reuters) - Europe's largest economies lobbied to protect their companies' investments in Iran on Friday, seeking to keep the nuclear deal with Tehran alive after Washington pulled out and threatened to impose sanctions on European companies.

 

Germany and France have significant trade links with Iran and remain committed to the nuclear agreement, as does Britain, and the three countries' foreign ministers plan to meet on Tuesday to discuss it.

 

That is part of a flurry of diplomatic activity following Tuesday's unilateral withdrawal from what U.S. President Donald Trump called "a horrible, one-sided deal", a move accompanied by the threat of penalties against any foreign firms doing business in Iran.

 

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said ways to save the deal without Washington needed to be discussed with Tehran, while France's Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire said EU states would propose sanctions-blocking measures to the European Commission.

"Do we accept extraterritorial sanctions? The answer is no," Le Maire told reporters.

 

"Do we accept that the United States is the economic gendarme of the planet? The answer is no.

 

"Do we accept the vassalization of Europe in commercial matters? The answer is no."

 

British Prime Minister Theresa May and Trump agreed in a phone call that talks were needed to discuss how U.S sanctions on Iran would affect foreign companies operating in the country.

 

May's spokeswoman said May had told Trump that Britain and its European partners remained "firmly committed" to ensuring the deal was upheld as the best way to prevent Iran from developing a nuclear weapon.

 

Both Le Maire and Germany's finance minister Olaf Scholz had spoken to their U.S. counterpart Steven Mnuchin, urging him to consider exemptions or delays for companies already present in the country.

 

Le Maire said he was seeking concrete exemptions for countries already present in Iran, including Renault, Total, Sanofi, Danone and Peugeot. Scholz had also asked for concrete measures to help German companies, Handelsblatt newspaper reported.

 

The 2015 agreement between major powers and Iran set limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of sanctions.

Europeans fear a collapse of the deal could intensify conflicts in the Middle East.

 

Germany, France and Britain want talks to be held in a broader format to include Iran's ballistic missile programme and its regional military activities, including in Syria and Yemen.

 

"The extent to which we can keep this deal alive ... is something we need to discuss with Iran," said Merkel, who earlier spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the issue.

 

Divisions in Iran over how it should respond to the U.S. pullout were illustrated as senior cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami told worshippers at Tehran University on Friday that European nations could not be trusted.

 

President Hassan Rouhani had said on Tuesday that Tehran would remain in the deal, provided its benefits stayed in force with its remaining signatories.

 

Iran's foreign minister will travel to Moscow on May 14 and meet his Russian counterpart, Russia's RIA news agency said, citing a Russian foreign ministry official.

 

"DAMAGE LIMITATION"

 

Iran said it had asked Europe's Airbus <AIR.PA> to announce whether it would go ahead with a plane deal with Tehran following the U.S. pullout.

 

That appears unlikely after U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Tuesday that licenses for the planemaker and rival Boeing Co <BA.N> to sell passenger jets to Iran would be revoked. <nL1N1SF1X2>

 

Le Maire said Paris would seek to strengthen Europe's ability to block sanctions and provide investment finance to companies. He called for the creation of a body to monitor the implementation of EU sanctions rules.

 

Some fear Europe's room for manoeuvre is limited. "The Europeans are in the weaker position because they are not united," said Peter Beyer, Germany's commissioner for transatlantic relations. Trump's strength was that he did not need unity, Beyer added.

 

French exports to Iran doubled to 1.5 billion euros ($1.79 billion) last year, driven by sales of aircraft and automobile parts, according to customs data.

 

Exports of German goods to Iran rose by around 400 million euros to 3 billion euros. Around 120 German firms have operations with their own staff in Iran, including Siemens <SIEGn.DE>, and some 10,000 German companies trade with Iran.

 

"We are ready to talk to all the companies concerned about what we can do to minimise the negative consequences," Altmaier told Deutschlandfunk radio. "That means, it is concretely about damage limitation".

 

The U.S. ambassador in Berlin, Richard Grenell, said firms should question the morality of doing business with Iran.

 

"Germany, France and Britain, the 'EU3', say themselves that Iran poses a threat. Do they want to do business with a threat?" Bild newspaper quoted him as saying.

 

Altmaier said Germany wanted to avoid "a spiral of escalation" in transatlantic trade relations.

 

Merkel said at a church event in the western German city of Muenster: "It is in our interest to have a strong transatlantic relationship".

But she also said: "If everybody does what they like, then this is bad news for the world."

 

 

-- © Copyright Reuters 2018-05-12

[smedly]

Oh yeah so Iran is attacking Israel from Syria probably sanctioned and backed up by Russia

 

am I missing something or is this just the EU trying to make a very poor point and punish Trump for cancelling the Iran deal

 

well played  

[ezzra]

All that Europe cares about is their investments in Iran, burying their collective greedy heads in the sand while counting the money while trying to look a pous as possible not to incur the wrath of the bazaar's mullahs....

[Somtamnication]

LOL. Absolutely they should protect their investments. The yanks going rogue does not give them the right to affect their allies. Let Boeing lose; who gives a ......

 

This authoritarian "leader" has no right to screw up other countries, only his own. 

[JAG]

Iran have chosen Airbus over Boeing as the plane maker to supply their new fleet of aircraft?

 

Of course the Trump administration will apply sanctions to Airbus...

[smedly]

1 hour ago, ezzra said:

All that Europe cares about is their investments in Iran, burying their collective greedy heads in the sand while counting the money while trying to look a pous as possible not to incur the wrath of the bazaar's mullahs....

whatever he said lol

 

and yes I still have a high regard for your posts even though I gave you a bit of gyp a few days ago :)

[RichardColeman]

Suckers !

[lanista]

Frankish king Charles the Great would turn over in his grave if he knew his name was associated with that little wimpy frog eater.

[FritsSikkink]

4 hours ago, smedly said:

Oh yeah so Iran is attacking Israel from Syria probably sanctioned and backed up by Russia

 

Never happened

[Srikcir]

6 hours ago, rooster59 said:

"Do we accept extraterritorial sanctions? The answer is no," Le Maire told reporters.

 

"Do we accept that the United States is the economic gendarme of the planet? The answer is no.

 

"Do we accept the vassalization of Europe in commercial matters? The answer is no."

Sadly the next question will be

"Do we accept the US as a dependable ally of Europe?"

[Bluespunk]

7 hours ago, rooster59 said:

The U.S. ambassador in Berlin, Richard Grenell, said firms should question the morality of doing business with Iran.

Or even the morality of doing business with states with appalling human rights records such as China and Saudi Arabia?

 

How ‘bout them, Rich?

Edited May 12, 2018 by Bluespunk

[billd766]

6 hours ago, smedly said:

Oh yeah so Iran is attacking Israel from Syria probably sanctioned and backed up by Russia

 

am I missing something or is this just the EU trying to make a very poor point and punish Trump for cancelling the Iran deal

 

well played  

 

Is it OK with you that Isreal is attacking Syria with the tacit support of the USA? Isreal is a country in the Middle East who has nuclear weapons and are prepared to use them. BTW where do you think the technology to build those weapons came from?

[billd766]

5 hours ago, JAG said:

Iran have chosen Airbus over Boeing as the plane maker to supply their new fleet of aircraft?

 

Of course the Trump administration will apply sanctions to Airbus...

 

In which case the EU should think about applying sanctions to the USA.

 

The damage that Trump has done to the USA and the world in 18 months will take decades to repair.

[Guest]

This is becoming interesting. If USA is going to put sanctions on companies, like Airbus, which sell goods to Iran, then EU must put similar sanctions to USA companies.

 

This is two former allies fighting each other with sanctions. Really damaging to the relationship between EU and USA for years to come.

 

Trump is truly on his way to destroy all the western relationships. 

[sawadee1947]

7 hours ago, ezzra said:

All that Europe cares about is their investments in Iran, burying their collective greedy heads in the sand while counting the money while trying to look a pous as possible not to incur the wrath of the bazaar's mullahs....

That is absolutely nonsense. The nonsense what I hear since 2 years from Trump. Congrats to you!.

The fact is that there was a treaty signed by USA, Germany, Britain, France and UN!

This treaty was cancelled by Trump.

Who do you think will trust USA, when you are not sure that a signature will be  that of an honored man and not that by a villain?

[sawadee1947]

1 hour ago, oilinki said:

This is becoming interesting. If USA is going to put sanctions on companies, like Airbus, which sell goods to Iran, then EU must put similar sanctions to USA companies.

 

This is two former allies fighting each other with sanctions. Really damaging to the relationship between EU and USA for years to come.

 

Trump is truly on his way to destroy all the western relationships. 

USA lost all credibility in the world. Who would believe in any treaty in the future? EU and US might be partners in Nato, but probably it's a matter of time and Trump will leave.

 

[sirineou]

6 minutes ago, sawadee1947 said:

USA lost all credibility in the world. Who would believe in any treaty in the future? EU and US might be partners in Nato, but probably it's a matter of time and Trump will leave.

 

As much as I dislike Trump and disagree with his decision to withdraw from the agreement.Lets understand something. There is no treaty. treaties are voted and ratified by congress , this agreement was never ratified by Congress and if understand this correctly was in affect under executive decision ,as such the Trump administration is not under any obligation to continue it.  As ill advised as this might be.

 

[sawadee1947]

15 minutes ago, sirineou said:

As much as I dislike Trump and disagree with his decision to withdraw from the agreement.Lets understand something. There is no treaty. treaties are voted and ratified by congress , this agreement was never ratified by Congress and if understand this correctly was in affect under executive decision ,as such the Trump administration is not under any obligation to continue it.  As ill advised as this might be.

 

Don't split hairs. France, Germany, UK, UN (United Nations Security Council = Member US !!!!) and US signed it.

[mercman24]

looks like TRUMP is becoming a world dictator now, threatening eu countries with sanctions just because they do not agree with him and why not should these countries try to safeguard companies who deal with Iran, and have big investments, its only natural.

[Peasandmash]

finally these 2 have someone else to blame for their failed leadership and ideology. 

Great pic! how nice the german's still reward the french for collusion with the enemy. 

 

God Bless America. God Bless the American President Donald Trump.  God Bless the brave and noble Israeli people and God Bless Benjamin Netanyahu.

[tonbridgebrit]

2 hours ago, oilinki said:

This is becoming interesting. If USA is going to put sanctions on companies, like Airbus, which sell goods to Iran, then EU must put similar sanctions to USA companies.

 

This is two former allies fighting each other with sanctions. Really damaging to the relationship between EU and USA for years to come.

 

Trump is truly on his way to destroy all the western relationships. 

Yes, this is tragic and dangerous. Trump is causing America and Europe to drift apart. Trump is suppose to be making America great again, what's actually happening is, is that America is becoming more isolated.

I really do hope that America is not going to put up sanctions against guys like Airbus. This means we're in danger of seeing Europe responding by putting up sanctions against American companies.

[wabothai]

Europe first !!!!!!!!!

[joecoolfrog]

9 hours ago, ezzra said:

All that Europe cares about is their investments in Iran, burying their collective greedy heads in the sand while counting the money while trying to look a pous as possible not to incur the wrath of the bazaar's mullahs....

Ah the hypocrisy , as if Trumps actions are not 100 % self serving !

If the US decide to go alone , why should the rest of the world be forced to toe the line ?

[joecoolfrog]

10 hours ago, smedly said:

Oh yeah so Iran is attacking Israel from Syria probably sanctioned and backed up by Russia

 

am I missing something or is this just the EU trying to make a very poor point and punish Trump for cancelling the Iran deal

 

well played  

Yes you are missing something.

The US is threatening European and British companies with sanctions , should they just bend over and say thank you ?

[sirineou]

1 hour ago, sawadee1947 said:

Don't split hairs. France, Germany, UK, UN (United Nations Security Council = Member US !!!!) and US signed it.

This is something I know a bit about, dont mean to be didactic, simply an attempt to explore the issue.

 The US did not sign it, the Obama administration did . I am not arguing the  merits of the agreement simply its status.

While it is true that if it had being ratified it still would not have being immune from withdrawal, ratified treaties have being  withrewned from in the past without congressional participation,  It would had being more difficult as the treaty would have had  bipartisan support (ratification requires two thirds of Senate ) . 

   As in the case of declaration of war, so in the case of treaties there seem to be a trend of congress to abdicate its responsibility and seed dangerous balance of power to the executive branch. This congressional cowardness has lead us in such misadventures as Iraq, and now  perhaps Iran.

Presidential Administrations seem to enjoy this expansion of the executive action power,  but it does come at a cost of reversal .

Perhaps future administrations would learn a lesson from this.

 

   

 

Edited May 12, 2018 by sirineou

[sawadee1947]

29 minutes ago, sirineou said:

This is something I know a bit about, dont mean to be didactic, simply an attempt to explore the issue.

 The US did not sign it, the Obama administration did . I am not arguing the  merits of the agreement simply its status.

While it is true that if it had being ratified it still would not have being immune from withdrawal, ratified treaties have being  withrewned from in the past without congressional participation,  It would had being more difficult as the treaty would have had  bipartisan support (ratification requires two thirds of Senate ) . 

   As in the case of declaration of war, so in the case of treaties there seem to be a trend of congress to abdicate its responsibility and seed dangerous balance of power to the executive branch. This congressional cowardness has lead us in such misadventures as Iraq, and now  perhaps Iran.

Presidential Administrations seem to enjoy this expansion of the executive action power,  but it does come at a cost of reversal .

Perhaps future administrations would learn a lesson from this.

 

   

 

Again wrong. As a member of UN security council this agreement was signed. ALL other countries who signed did rely on each other. And now one country betrayed the others. On top of all these countries are ALLIES. USA, I the new warmonger 

[tonbridgebrit]

1 hour ago, wabothai said:

Europe first !!!!!!!!!

Well, I'd rather support Europe's Airbus rather than America's Boeing.

[tonbridgebrit]

2 minutes ago, sawadee1947 said:

Again wrong. As a member of UN security council this agreement was signed. ALL other countries who signed did rely on each other. And now one country betrayed the others. On top of all these countries are ALLIES. USA, I the new warmonger 

Yes, Washington has become a war-monger, it's them bad people in the White House who are influencing Trump, they're the ones who are the war-mongers.

[sirineou]

8 minutes ago, sawadee1947 said:

Again wrong. As a member of UN security council this agreement was signed. ALL other countries who signed did rely on each other. And now one country betrayed the others. On top of all these countries are ALLIES. USA, I the new warmonger 

 Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your point of view, the UN does not govern the US.

and if the US has become a warmonger it is partly because of this abdication of congressional power

Edited May 12, 2018 by sirineou

[tonbridgebrit]

https://uk.yahoo.com/finance/news/european-leaders-vow-stand-trump-bullying-save-iran-deal-160742050.html

Right, so Washington is a bully, and basically, Europe is standing up to this bullying. We've all been to school, and we all know about the bully in the school play-ground. People who are bullying, they hate it when people fight back. Yes, bullies are usually cowards, bullies rely on fear. But as soon as we fight back, bullies will back of.

Yes Washington, you want a fight, you've got one. You will be sorry if you start a trade war. The rest of planet earth is not going to tolerate your b.s.

Edited May 12, 2018 by tonbridgebrit