The US prodded the European Union nations into imposing sanctions on Russia as a result of Russia's resistance to the US organized coup in Ukraine last year and as a result not only does the EU look like it will lose the Russian market for food exports but gain a serious competitor as well. What will be the long term effect on US/EU relations for this kind of miscalculation? Will the EU become less subservient to US policies? http://russia-insider.com/en/politics/sanctions-have-failed-buy-russian-working/ri9050#.VbxpiVj_rfU.twitter
Europe is beholden to Russia for gas & oil. Period. Sanctions against Russia by them = the valves being turned off or prices hiked. Maybe Hitler had a point about Lebensraum as Germany cannot supply itself with energy.
Russian Goods? I am unaware of ANYTHING that Russia produces that can be considered goods. There is a very good reason Russia has not cut off energy supplies to the EU...doing so would bankrupt the country very quickly and EU counties would survive the temporary pain and discomfort. Russia is not in the position to shoot itself in the foot...it is already hobbling and on crutches.
"a result not only does the EU look like it will lose the Russian market for food exports but gain a serious competitor as well." And who would that "serious competitor" be??? Australia? Bahahahaha! http://www.mapsofworld.com/world-top-ten/world-top-ten-agricultural-exporters-map.html http://www.investopedia.com/financial-edge/0712/top-agricultural-producing-countries.aspx http://ec.europa.eu/agriculture/trade-analysis/map/2014-1_en.pdf
*shrug There's a lot of Russian hi-tec products that are being sold by Russian companies into U.S. But you'll be hard pressed to find any PR, or references to these sales, I know it firsthand. Both Russian companies and their U.S. Customers chose not to make waves about.
No, not Australia but Russia was once an exporter to Europe before communism took over. Link in first post. Thanks for the links, the first one shows Russia to be the EU's second biggest food export market at $10 billion after the US at $15 billion (according to one of the graphs). The Europeans are going to be seriously hurt long term complying with US demands for sanctions on Russia.
The article is from "Russia Insider" not RT. The Russia Insider about web page. http://russia-insider.com/en/about
The reality is that Russia produces goods for the domestic market & cutting off trade between the EU & Russia would be an expensive but temporary problem for both sides.
There are other options but the economics are not attractive & with Nord Stream Two pipelines in the works I don't think the Russian oil & gas will stop flowing to the EU.
And our fossil fuel industry is working hard as well to make sure the consumers in Europe and America our beholden to these oligarchs! Russia, the Middle East and our own energy companies and our own Republican Congress are all committed to make sure they own us!
"the first one shows Russia to be the EU's second biggest food export market at $10 billion" Really ......The ONLY link that even mentions RUSSIA is the 3rd link, which has RUSSIA (from 2011-13) exporting 27-28 billion ONLY. Compared to USA (same years) exporting 74-85 billion, it's NOT even close. The EU (again, same years) exported 98-102 billion....again, not even close! (see graph 2 in the 3rd link. Links 1-2 did NOT even mention RUSSIA <capped so you could see how it's spelled>) You best be going back to remedial reading....................... "but Russia was once an exporter to Europe before communism took over" And communism took over RUSSIA during WW1 (approx 1917).......some 100 years ago. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Histo...arly_Communist_States_.281917.E2.80.931947.29 You have FAILED in so many ways!!
QUOTE -"the first one shows Russia to be the EU's second biggest food export market at $10 billion" Really ......The ONLY link that even mentions RUSSIA is the 3rd link, which has RUSSIA (from 2011-13) exporting 27-28 billion ONLY. - UNQUOTE. The information on on Russia was "in the graph" in the first link as previously stated, did you even bother to read your own links? QUOTE - "but Russia was once an exporter to Europe before communism took over" And communism took over RUSSIA during WW1 (approx 1917).......some 100 years ago. UNQUOTE. Did you read the article linked in the OP, I think not. If Russia managed to do it before the communists took over & having now returned to a market based system they can certainly do it again & the sanctions are providing the oppertunity to fill the demand in the local market & that in turn can be used as a spring board for exports.