>>>>>>>>>So they called it 'voluntary export restraint' instead. Whilst it was in force it surely gave non-U.S. based manufacturers a big incentive to being production in the U.S. ?
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>Could you produce any proof, or even mention, of 'voluntary export restraint' exercised by Germany or Korea in regard to exports to USA?
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>My original reply was specific to Japanese manufacturers (as was the post I replied to). Don't know about Germany (but I imagine their production costs in the U.S. are no higher that their costs in Europe so that's incentive enough). It looks as if Korea already pays an import tarriff:
>>>>>>>http://www.aiaglobal.org/OurOrganization/LatestNews/USKoreaFreeTradeAgreementWouldBenefitImportAftermarket.aspx
>>>>>>>Snip:
>>>>>>>If passed by Congress, the U.S. would immediately eliminate 2.5 percent tariffs on South Korean-made smaller vehicles (engine sizes of 3,000 cc or less), as well as tariffs on all South Korean auto parts (currently averaging 2.5 percent). Within three years of entry into force of the agreement, the U.S. will eliminate tariffs on cars with larger engines and the 25 percent U.S. tariff on light trucks will be phased out over 10 years. Under the agreement, South Korean vehicle and parts exports to the U.S. would gain significant advantages over Japanese and European nameplate imports.
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>25% on larger cars & light trucks !
>>>>>>
>>>>>>Yeah, 'cuz the Japanese did those ever so much better the US auto makers did when they first started coming over. IIRC, Datsun (now Nissan) was one of the first to introduce the baby truck to the US
>>>>>
>>>>>I think the Japanese do them all better - but the U.S. car industry doesn't have anything to compete with the smaller cars so they don't lose sales there......
>>>>
>>>>We still make the Corvette. The Japanese sure don't do that better. (And neither does anyone else in remotely the same price class).
>>>
>>>Not sure I'd call the Corvette a 'small' car? But there was a favourable (from the petrol-head viewpoint) review of the latest in one of our Sunday papers recently. In my youth I had a '70's Firebird convertible for a while, followed by a Camaro. They looked 'flash', had lots of power, but were both in fact horrible to drive on European roads. Pretty much put me off american cars for life :-{
>>
>>I love the curvy roads in small German towns. Most Americans have no idea of the driving conditions in the small towns of Germany. I only recall a couple of intersections in U.S. towns that are similar. There is nothing like the terror of driving around one of the single lane curves with tall old buildings on both sides and coming face to face with a tank! That is a pleasure I experienced more than once. It is fun though. :o) There are many small cars sold in the U.S. that would handle the curves and lane width well, both U.S. made and foreign made, but the Corvette and Camaro do not fall into that category! :o)
>>
>>I hope to take my daughter to Germany one day. Perhaps after she graduates from college it will be possible. While most Americans travel to Germany for the shopping, I hope to take her to all the small towns in Bavaria that I love so much. I want to introduce her to my friends there too. Of course, I want to visit Berlin too now that it is open. The last time I was in Berlin it was still divided and my experience in East Berlin was not entirely pleasurable other than a meeting I had with a gentleman there who had been separated from his wife since the wall went up. It was definitely educational though. I absolutely loved West Berlin. It was probably the most metropolitan city I have ever been in and that includes the European cities typically considered more metropolitan. Back in the mid 80s it was so far advanced of any city -- European, South American, or North American -- I had previously visited, it was amazing. I can only imagine that is still the case today.
>>
>>My ideal trip would include Germany, England, Ireland, Italy, France, and Netherlands.
>
>Go for it!
>
>I spent quite a bit of time in Germany in the '80s - too much of it in the bigger cities (Frankfurt, Cologne, Dortmund etc) but also some time in the countryside in Bavaria - the latter being the only bit I really liked.
>
>I also visited West/East Berlin several times - but not since the wall came down. Going through the old 'Check Point Charlie' became a bit of a ritual on every visit. I've a feeling I wouldn't enjoy either of them so much if I went back again :-{
>

Interesting. What were you doing in Berlin before the wall came down, if I may ask? Living a LeCarre novel? ;-)