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RE[7]: Three strikes in the USA?
by essdeekay on Wed 10th Mar 2010 07:03 UTC in reply to "RE[6]: Three strikes in the USA?"
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The U.S. isn't bullying Europe, nor is it engaging in protectionist practices.

That's not entirely true. I agree with most of the rest of your comments, but both the US and Europe engage in protectionist practices when it suits them - I don't agree with it, but to dismiss that it occurs is naive.

One recent example of this is the US' Aerial Refueling Tanker program (aka KC-X), which had two primary bidders - Boeing (US) and a consortium made up of Northrop Grumman (US) / EADS (European).

2003: Boeing won the contract only to have the contract award revoked due to an ethics scandal related to the contract
2008: Northrop/EADS were awarded the contract - US senators in uproar that US tax dollars may go to European company
2008-2010: USAF change terms of contract to favor Boeing's smaller aircraft, making Northrop/EADS' position untenable
2010: Northrop/EADS officially withdraw their bid

However you look at the goings-on of that program, there definitely are protectionist practices occuring in the US at this very moment.

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