The main delusion/criticism is that a VAT elsewhere is “ripping US off”. Reciprocal tariffs are expected to include VAT % as a tariff to match. The US is allowed to have their own VAT if it is such a competitive advantage. They could also choose nationalized healthcare to save on employer insurance costs.
The EUropean relationship did get Germany to smile and buy extortionist priced LNG after the US blew up a pipeline fairly recently, and driving away that level of sycophancy has much higher cost than underpaying for a few Mercedeses.
The main delusion/criticism is that a VAT elsewhere is “ripping US off”. Reciprocal tariffs are expected to include VAT % as a tariff to match. The US is allowed to have their own VAT if it is such a competitive advantage. They could also choose nationalized healthcare to save on employer insurance costs.
The EUropean relationship did get Germany to smile and buy extortionist priced LNG after the US blew up a pipeline fairly recently, and driving away that level of sycophancy has much higher cost than underpaying for a few Mercedeses.