Germany threatens retaliation if U.S. sanctions harm its firms

[steve2470]

Source: Reuters

Germany threatened on Friday to retaliate against the United States if new sanctions on Russia being proposed by the U.S. Senate end up penalizing German firms.

The Senate bill, approved on Thursday by a margin of 98-2, includes new sanctions against Russia and Iran. Crucially, it foresees punitive measures against entities that provide material support to Russia in building energy export pipelines.

Berlin fears that could pave the way for fines against German and European firms involved in Nord Stream 2, a project to build a pipeline carrying Russian gas across the Baltic.

Among the European companies involved in the project are German oil and gas group Wintershall, German energy trading firm Uniper, Royal Dutch Shell, Austria’s OMV and France’s Engie.

Read more: http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-sanctions-germany-idUSKBN197156?il=0

[sandensea]

1. Cheeto's just hellbent on turning the U.S. into a rogue state.

[Igel]

3. Huh?

1. This is the Senate, and is intended to tie Trump's hands in case he does try to push for liberalizing sanctions against Russia. So it's not Trump's doing.

2. This would be the US trying to punish Russia, in part for what it did during the elections ... That's if the House passes the measure largely unchanged and then Trump signs it. (In other words, it's passed 1 of 3 hurdles. In other words, it's what a lot of people call for--punishing Russia for manipulating US elections and media.

3. Merkel raised the exact same demands and concerns and threats when the US, with Obama as president, was imposing sanctions on Russia a few years ago. It's meant to alter the US political process in another country's favor.

[Doreen]

2. This administration is determined to get into another war with Germany.

Be it a cold type of war or an actual war they are working on it.

[Not Ruth]

4. Is Germany threatening an actual war with the US?

That is onesided

[Doreen]

6. I did not say Germany was threatening a war.

I said that our administration is looking for a war with Germany. Every turn trump gets he is putting Germany down and knows some of the things he is planning can possibly hurt them.

[Blue Idaho]

5. The leader of the free world just drew a line in the sand...

Trump had better pay attention to her.

[EllieBC]

8. You mean the 98 Senators? nt

[Calista241]

7. The question is are we going to retaliate against Germany after GDPR goes

Into effect next year are they start levying 4% gross revenue fines against companies with violations.