Yes, we registrated the lamentation of Gregory Schulte, the US-ambassador at the IAEA and other US-officials about European export credit guarantees. Your treasury secretary, Mr Paulson asked furthermore our big banks to cease money transfers with Iran. The banks consented since business in the US is of course far more important than business with Iran. Nevertheless we have reason not to trust your gouvernment in this case since your administrations have a long history in using such incidences for protection of their own US idustry/banks/business. You Americans often tried to balance your lack in competitive ability with protection. I.e. the US forced our German banks to end the US-Dollar monetary transactions with banks in Lettland because they allegedly violated against regulations against money laundering. Today your banks are doing this business. Concerning Iran the US originally cared mainly about "Dollar-business" until the Iranians switched from Dollars to Euros. This made your gouvernment change its tactics immediately, since nothing would be more destructive for the US if the Oil on the commodity markets is not traded in Dollars anymore but in Euros. Now your administration wants to implement a total embargo.
A total boycott only makes sense to us if there is a real strategy behind it and not just a new battle in the old economic war between Europe and the US. We will not follow America without being convinced since we Europeans want to see our interests considered and not just yours. Yes - we could move something on Iran. Even Russia and China would be forced into our line if we would stand tightly together. If the west only makes business with those who strictly avoid Iranians, the mullahs will find themselves quite lonely in Teheran.
But it would be nessecary to make a fair proposal to the Iranians for giving up uranium enrichment:
1. The possibility to buy nuclear fuel for pressurized water reactors like the one in Busher (No HEU).
2. The end of the economic US-embargo.
3. A diplomatic relationship with the US.
Espechially the last point is of interest to Europe. If the Mullahs and you speak with each other again you can solve your problems the short way without taking a detour over Paris, London or Berlin.
A embargo alone with exaggerated requests that leads to a loss of face for the Iranians will only cause more problems and there will be no practical benefit for all of us. We simply want to do Realpolitik.
You have just made my point. Europe was allegedly a strong ally of the US, but in reality that agreement only went one way. Europe never held up their end of the bargain, except to pay lip service to it at the UN. Europe is still demanding that the US play world policeman, but only in areas where the US police actions would benefit Europe economicly. Let Europe clean up their own messes in Africa. You cannot deal with Iran, rationally. Iran isn't interested in trade with the US, they are interested in power and ruling the whole Middle East, and beyond. Europe didn't learn anything from Hitler. You sound just like Neville Chamberlain. Next you'll be trying to tell by that Chavez just wants to trade with the US, too.