4 ms·

Germany seems to have partnered with all the wrong countries lately. Russia, China... what's next? Iran?

by afrcnc 4y ago

prox 4y ago
Yes. I think it was Siemens who delivered or supplied parts for the centrifuges for enrichment for their nuclear program.
chii 4y ago
> Germany seems to have partnered with all the wrong countries lately. capitalism doesn't see countries as wrong. It's only political, public pressure that causes germany to capitulate and apply sanctions to russia.
throwaway4good 4y ago
Hopefully. Some of us still believe in change through trade.
- deleted 4y ago
  [deleted]
ho_schi 4y ago
"What about...?" Only Nixon could go to China [1] Germany? Lately? Every country in the Americas, Europe and also Africa has ties to China. In the long term we've lost industrial self-reliance, workplaces (jobs) with acceptable standards and now depend on microelectronics from China. Reason? Greed. Naming that just opportunism isn't enough. China has a strategic plan for their economy. In the EU politicians still believe in "free trade" and "market rules". Nothing in capitalism is fair nor free. The seeling of KUKA Robotics[2] to Chinese investors was probably a turning-point in Germany. The problem is that Germany only slowly recognizes that it was wrong. Especially parts of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) still believe in this "Wandel durch Annäherung" regarding Russia. And the same argument was used for China. Free trade doesn't make friends or peace, it is just exchange. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon_goes_to_China https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon_goes_to_China [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KUKA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KUKA PS: While politics shouldn't control every aspect of production a strategic control of essential industries makes sense. In this regard we could learn from China. Then we control under which conditions work is done.
- hutzlibu 4y ago
  "Free trade doesn't make friends or peace, it is just exchange." But it is also exchange of knowledge, ideas, culture, morals and technology. It was trade that connected the world since ages and helped progress us all. Nationalism on the other hand does not connect, but rather disconnects. And goverment strategic control of essential industries? I am very sceptical that they can even identify the core essentials. Because if this label means state protection and funding, then suddenly every industry will declare themself essential with the result, that those with the best connections to the politics, will win the race. Likely the car makers, VW and co.
ls15 4y ago
Where do other countries get their smartphones and computers from?

Germany seems to have partnered with all the wrong countries lately. Russia, China... what's next? Iran?

by afrcnc 4y ago

Germany seems to have partnered with all the wrong countries lately. Russia, China... what's next? Iran?

prox 4y ago

Yes. I think it was Siemens who delivered or supplied parts for the centrifuges for enrichment for their nuclear program.

chii 4y ago

> Germany seems to have partnered with all the wrong countries lately. capitalism doesn't see countries as wrong. It's only political, public pressure that causes germany to capitulate and apply sanctions to russia.

throwaway4good 4y ago

Hopefully. Some of us still believe in change through trade.

deleted 4y ago
[deleted]

ho_schi 4y ago

"What about...?" Only Nixon could go to China [1] Germany? Lately? Every country in the Americas, Europe and also Africa has ties to China. In the long term we've lost industrial self-reliance, workplaces (jobs) with acceptable standards and now depend on microelectronics from China. Reason? Greed. Naming that just opportunism isn't enough. China has a strategic plan for their economy. In the EU politicians still believe in "free trade" and "market rules". Nothing in capitalism is fair nor free. The seeling of KUKA Robotics[2] to Chinese investors was probably a turning-point in Germany. The problem is that Germany only slowly recognizes that it was wrong. Especially parts of the Social Democratic Party (SPD) still believe in this "Wandel durch Annäherung" regarding Russia. And the same argument was used for China. Free trade doesn't make friends or peace, it is just exchange. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon_goes_to_China https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nixon_goes_to_China [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KUKA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KUKA PS: While politics shouldn't control every aspect of production a strategic control of essential industries makes sense. In this regard we could learn from China. Then we control under which conditions work is done.

hutzlibu 4y ago
"Free trade doesn't make friends or peace, it is just exchange." But it is also exchange of knowledge, ideas, culture, morals and technology. It was trade that connected the world since ages and helped progress us all. Nationalism on the other hand does not connect, but rather disconnects. And goverment strategic control of essential industries? I am very sceptical that they can even identify the core essentials. Because if this label means state protection and funding, then suddenly every industry will declare themself essential with the result, that those with the best connections to the politics, will win the race. Likely the car makers, VW and co.

ls15 4y ago

Where do other countries get their smartphones and computers from?