EU's Growth Gap

Investor's Business Daily ^ | Feb. 19, 2005 | Editorial Staff

[BillM]

That is why it will be very profitable to 'short' the Euro.

[elfman2]

" I can't speak to the USA purposely manipulating the euro since this is the first time I've heard such a theory "

I just took it as a reference to a covert weak dollar policy , but your explanation also makes sense. Europe may also be playing cautious with it’s currency so soon after its inception.

[Toddsterpatriot]

The FT's told us that the spreading of free-trade thoughout Europe would bring a wave of prosperity,

Who are these imaginary FT's you keep quoting? Put down the pipe and step away from your keyboard. LOL!

[Toddsterpatriot]

But if FT was as promising as its advocates said it would be there should have been huge economic growth.

You're confusing free trade with a common currency. The EU thought a common currency would expand trade. They were probably correct. Unfortunately for them, the massive regulation they added on everything from fruit content in jelly to food labeling to anything else to do with any product has more than destroyed any boost they might get from a single currency.

You thought NAFTA was a lot of paperwork, it's nothing compared to new EU regs.

[eluminate]

the biggest problem is that EU created barriers for business creation instead of being a catalyst. Now people have to abide by 4 regulations instead of 3 nation/state/local with eu standard on top. The thought was that Eu standard would streamline into one nationwide standard instead of becoming another hurdle. Furthermore the extra layer of beuracrats hasn't helped at all. This extra layer of usuless power makers just creates more tension and less ability to come to terms with each clique trying to get its own way.