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Actually the German surplus has been brought up for discussion many times in the EU parliament. A trade surplus of over 6% triggers a so called IDR, one EU acr

by jchb 7y ago

Actually the German surplus has been brought up for discussion many times in the EU parliament. A trade surplus of over 6% triggers a so called IDR, one EU acronym among many, which means (Macroeconomic) In-Depth Review. If the review shows an excessive balance, that triggers the EIP. Excessive Imbalance Procedure!. If a country fails to follow the recommendations coming out of the EIP, that can in theory lead to sanctions, including fines. You can read the last IDR on Germany here: https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/2018-european-semester-country-report-germany-en.pdf https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/2018-european-sem... This IDR concluded that a EIP was not necessary. So far an EIP has never been launched by the commission. Whether this system was designed to ensure Germany is never sanctioned, or if it is simply a huge slow-moving bureaucracy, I leave as an open research question ;)

Phil_Latio 7y ago
> Actually the German surplus has been brought up for discussion many times in the EU parliament. Has it? I don't follow that clown show. Looks like Germany has the power within the EU to ignore such issues while bullying other countries into following the rules "we all agreed on". Naturally this topic is a total taboo in Germany. The worst excuse I heard so far was: "Yes, we profit the most and other countries may suffer in economic terms. BUT the EU as a whole brought so much more to these countries!" > This IDR concluded that a EIP was not necessary I know that the rule itself is 6% for surplus and 4% for deficit (?!)... So thanks for the link but I won't read it, I don't care why EIP was not necessary for whatever opinion. I just don't take the EU serious.
- marmaduke 7y ago
  > we all agreed on I have a German boss who uses this rhetoric frequently, which is usually code for 'shut up and do what I say'
makomk 7y ago
Given the amount of control Germany has over who becomes part of the European Commission, I think it's unlikely Germany would ever be sanctioned for this. The European Parliament have no say here so it doesn't particularly matter what they think.

by jchb 7y ago

Phil_Latio 7y ago

> Actually the German surplus has been brought up for discussion many times in the EU parliament. Has it? I don't follow that clown show. Looks like Germany has the power within the EU to ignore such issues while bullying other countries into following the rules "we all agreed on". Naturally this topic is a total taboo in Germany. The worst excuse I heard so far was: "Yes, we profit the most and other countries may suffer in economic terms. BUT the EU as a whole brought so much more to these countries!" > This IDR concluded that a EIP was not necessary I know that the rule itself is 6% for surplus and 4% for deficit (?!)... So thanks for the link but I won't read it, I don't care why EIP was not necessary for whatever opinion. I just don't take the EU serious.

marmaduke 7y ago
> we all agreed on I have a German boss who uses this rhetoric frequently, which is usually code for 'shut up and do what I say'

makomk 7y ago

Given the amount of control Germany has over who becomes part of the European Commission, I think it's unlikely Germany would ever be sanctioned for this. The European Parliament have no say here so it doesn't particularly matter what they think.