Chapter 296 The Most Outstanding Son-in-Law

Chapter 297 The most outstanding son-in-law

The most important thing is that the nephew just did not mention France's largest export commodity-wine.

In comparison, glass, fur products, etc. are Austria's pillar industries.

He chuckled in his heart. The young nephew still lacked experience. Although adding a large number of goods with reduced tariffs to France in the trade agreement would make the agreement look better, the total of them was far less than the export volume of a single wine.

So he nodded very generously: "Then, the tariff on paper is set to 15%, and the other 5%, what do you think?"

Joseph immediately sat on the ground and paid back the money: "Look, I have lowered Austria's linen tariffs to zero. You can at least lower the tariffs on steel products or chemicals a little more."

Emperor Shinra smiled, picked up the wine glass and took a sip, "Well, since my dear nephew has said so, let's reduce the tariff on chemical products to zero."

Austria still has some steel industry, and even sells a large amount of it to German states. As for chemicals? To be honest, he didn't know exactly what he was referring to. It was probably something like sulfuric acid. The annual trade volume might not even be 10,000 florins.

Joseph put on the innocent smile that a young man should have, and bowed to his uncle: "You are such an easy-going elder. Now our trade agreement looks much fairer."

Immediately, he continued to "climb along the pole": "Dear uncle, for the convenience of Fao's trade, maybe we can also add a clause in the agreement that transport ships can freely enter each other's inland waterways.

"Oh, of course, it is still allowed to carry out the necessary boarding inspection before crossing the border."

Joseph II's physical strength was almost exhausted, and he waved his hands weakly: "I will seriously consider this."

Joseph hurriedly seized the last opportunity and spoke quickly: "Do you think it is possible to extend the mutually beneficial trade agreement between France and Austria to the entire Germany?

"Add Bavaria, Salzburg, Württemberg, Baden and other countries and sign a trade agreement together. Even Saxony, Thuringia, and Hesse can join this trade agreement in the future."

Joseph II shook his head tiredly: "They are all worried that Faao's goods will flood their market, and I am afraid they are not willing to join this kind of agreement to liberalize tariffs."

Even relatively large German states such as Bavaria and Saxony cannot resist Austrian products, let alone other small countries. In this era when market economic theory is still extremely immature, the tariffs set by everyone are higher than the others.

A sly smile flashed in Joseph's eyes: "Then we will give the profit to them."

Emperor Shenluo gathered his strength for a few seconds and then said: "But why do you do this?"

Joseph thought that of course it was to use Austria's influence in the German states, which was much easier than France talking to them one by one.

But what he said to his uncle was: “This will allow them to reduce their trade with Prussia.

“And the reduction in trade means less contact. This has a positive significance for establishing Austria’s prestige in Germany.

"In fact, as long as the negotiation strategy is appropriate, Austria will not suffer any losses. After all, Austria's size is here. Even if the terms of the agreement are not so favorable, as the country continues to develop, Austria will eventually be able to benefit from a larger market. Benefit."

Joseph II, who was already extremely tired, suddenly had a bright look in his eyes when he heard this.

He was a smart man and immediately figured out what his nephew meant.

For example, small countries like Thuringia and Württemberg, even if they are relatively strong in a certain industry, how strong can they be? Even if they are technologically advanced, because the country is small, their export volume will not be too large. And for Austria, it is generally not difficult to find other countries to replace the advantageous industries of small countries.

But once a big country like Austria takes the lead in any industry, small countries will basically have to accept the fate of being dumped.

Therefore, regardless of short-term interests, tie small countries to your side first, use them to expand your market, and make them dependent on Austrian goods and markets. This is the most important thing!

Perhaps the desire to unify Germany, which could not be achieved through war, can be achieved using this method!

The look in his eyes when he looked at his nephew was full of shock. This was probably not a strategy that his sister would have thought of. He knew her very well.

Was it the idea of ​​this young "god's son" or a capable minister in France?

In fact, this was just Joseph's practice of the economic colonial concept of later generations. Among the big countries in later generations, which one did not circle the small countries around them to form a unified market?

What the Emperor of the Shinra did not realize was that he thought that Austria was taking the lead, tying the German states to himself, and that France was getting some soup from it. But in Joseph's eyes, Austria is no different from Thuringia and Württemberg. They all have the label of France's industrial products market on their foreheads.

Joseph II finally couldn't hold it any longer and signaled his brother Leopold II to continue discussing the trade agreement with his nephew. With the help of his servants, he returned to the bedroom to rest.

By the end of the banquet, Leopold II had discussed the details of the trade agreement with Joseph.

He was much more energetic than his brother, so he thought much more carefully, taking precautions in advance for all foreseeable industries that France could have an impact on Austria.

But what he didn't expect was that France's industrial development speed would soon turn almost all valuable industries into its own strengths.

After Leopold II and Joseph were cheered by the nobles, they left the banquet hall and walked towards the concert hall. Maria Vidoluka gave the nobleman on Joseph's left a subtle wink, took two quick steps, and arrived at the latter's position just now.

She was about the same height as Joseph. She turned her head and said, "My dear, the way His Majesty the Emperor looked at you just now was really full of appreciation and satisfaction.

"Well, he has never shown so much affection for Clementine before."

Joseph was stunned for a moment and said hurriedly: "My cousin is the kindest and most lovely lady. I heard that your Majesty's favorite junior is her."

Vidoluka covered his mouth with a fan and laughed: "Clementine's shortcoming is that she is very jealous sometimes and cares about the people she likes."

She suddenly lowered her voice: "So, if you don't have another mistress in the future, oh, just like your father, I think she will be very happy."

Joseph was stunned again. He didn't expect that the topic would turn to this. He immediately started to sweat a little and hurriedly looked around and said, "Well, which one? I heard that Mr. Mozart will come to perform later?"