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>The difference with Italy is that it does not receive state aid from the Americans. I'm sure if they were then people would be calling for cuts in a similar si
by boomboomsubban 6y ago
>The difference with Italy is that it does not receive state aid from the Americans. I'm sure if they were then people would be calling for cuts in a similar situation.
This isn't true. On top of the general disaster aid, including $10 million for COVID, we have seven US military bases in the country which accounts for millions a year in aid.
- smashah 6y agoOh ok. Thanks for the correction. If the Italian government shields hacking team then I wouldn't be surprised if someone said that they should have that state aid cut.
- Daho0n 6y agoThe US is by far the worst aid giver in the western world. Most so-called aid is "you can have this gift if you use it to buy X, Y or Z from businesses in the US". Look to Scandinavia and you'll see actual aid instead of (poorly) hidden state sponsoring of defense contractors. They even give more per capita than the US without those strings attached. US aid is embarrassing. Besides, US bases are not aid to the host country but aid by the host country to the US.
- boomboomsubban 6y ago>Besides, US bases are not aid to the host country but aid by the host country to the US. They eliminate some need for the host country to spend on their military, often provide rent money, and stimulate the local economy. It's done to usurp sovereignty, but the host agrees as it benefits them financially. I don't disagree with your broader point, but I don't see how it changes anything. Calls to stop aid to a country differ even if the countries do the same thing.