sparkalounger Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 Hope this get derailed shortly... From : Racer X website Proposed 100% Tax on European Motorcycles: AMA fights possible 100 percent tariffs on certain European motorcycles Dec 8 2008 12:15PM The AMA announced today that it has written to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative opposing a plan that could double the cost of some European motorcycles imported into the United States. The plan being considered by U.S. trade officials would impose a 100 percent import duty on more than 100 European goods -- including two engine displacement categories of motorcycles, 51cc to 250cc, and 251cc to 500cc. The federal measure is designed as retaliation to the 27-member European Union's continuing import ban on American beef treated with growth hormones. EU officials haven't lifted that 20-year-old ban, despite a World Trade Organization (WTO) order to end it. If U.S. officials impose the retaliatory tariff, it would double the price of a host of under-500cc on- and off-highway machines from brands such as Aprilia, Beta, BMW, Fantic, Gas Gas, Husaberg, Husqvarna, KTM, Montesa, Piaggio, Scorpa, Sherco, TM and Vespa. "There is no logical link between European motorcycles and the dispute over beef," said Ed Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations, in his comments submitted to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. "Imposing these stiff tariffs on motorcycles would do nothing to resolve the trade dispute, but would punish American buyers of European motorcycles." The AMA's comments make a strong argument that motorcycles have no business being used as a lever in a dispute over beef. "Trade disputes residing concretely within the boundaries of the agricultural industry should not be resolved with trade sanctions levied against non-agricultural products," Moreland said. "A 100 percent ad valorem, or higher, tariff on these motorcycles will cause serious and potentially irreversible harm to American small- and medium-sized business owners selling the vehicles. Additionally, citizens will be denied access to certain models of competition and recreation motorcycles that contribute to the lifestyle and well-being of millions of American families." The United States wants to impose $116.8 million in import duties to equal the amount of money it claims the U.S. beef industry loses each year because of the ban. The WTO has agreed on that amount. Interested parties have until Dec. 8 to comment on which European goods should be subject to the 100 percent tariff in the dispute. It is unknown when U.S. officials will make a final decision. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikespace Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 I guess Honda will be distancing themselves from Montesa for US exports and you'll be getting a few more of them coming in? Oset? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 The United States wants to impose $116.8 million in import duties to equal the amount of money it claims the U.S. beef industry loses each year because of the ban. The WTO has agreed on that amount. OK first off I never understood how an industry can claim to "lose" money that it did not have to begin with. There is no guarantee that the EU would purchase the beef if it was allowed to be imported. The EU already has other sources of beef, they have for the past 20 yrs. Second, how does the US government actually believe it will generate that amount of revenue each year off these tariffs. If bikes cost twice as they do now basically nobody will buy any, therefore none will be imported, therefore no tax money. Just because XXXXX number of people buy new bikes each year now does not mean that number will be the same after the price increase. Third, The US has beef to export, The EU produces their own beef. If the EU does not want our beef they are able to purchase the beef produced in their own countries. The EU has on road and off road bikes to export, the US has........well Harley Davidson and Buell and let's face it those really suck in off-road applications, I am not so sure they work well on the road either. (but that is merely my opinion) Point is if the US basically taxes these motorcycles away than there is no US produced alternative for those bikes. The EU bans US beef but they have an alternative already in their own countries. And this would totally DESTROY the possibility of Observed Trials growing in the US. But this may open a huge market share to Honda........Just call the montesa a Honda like they do in Japan, then it would be a Japanese bike not an EU bike. OOOH and a 4T also that all those Environmentalist ******* like so much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparkalounger Posted December 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 And this would totally DESTROY the possibility of Observed Trials growing in the US. that's the bottom line for us. i hope this one falls to the floor. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ron Posted December 8, 2008 Report Share Posted December 8, 2008 F.Y.I. CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMEN... THIS WILL FOR SURE END IMPORTATION OF BIKES AS WE KNOW IT.. BIKES WILL COST ON AVERAGE 13-16K Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
for artie Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 (edited) I guess Honda will be distancing themselves from Montesa for US exports and you'll be getting a few more of them coming in?Oset? Sorry Lads it looks bad for the US market. Strange how beef seems to affect trials? It happened here with F&M. As far a I know the Monty is a EU product and would be included in this. I am afraid that a couple of Honda decals won't do it. Every trials manufacturer is EU registered. What you need is to get Obama on a 4RT! Edited December 10, 2008 by for artie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b40rt Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 If the EU follows suit, tit for tat, and does likewise for Harley Davidson and derivitives, stalemate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slalom_specialist Posted December 9, 2008 Report Share Posted December 9, 2008 Then again, as stupid as it might be, if it goes through, it could make my used Sherco 290 worth more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zippy Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 (edited) slalom_specialist Posted Yesterday, 04:39 PM Then again, as stupid as it might be, if it goes through, it could make my used Sherco 290 worth more Maybe but there would be nothing to purchase to replace it if you sold it. So therefore being worth more monetarily doesn't matter, it will be worth more to keep and ride. Nasty Catch 22. B40RT Posted Yesterday, 02:25 PM If the EU follows suit, tit for tat, and does likewise for Harley Davidson and derivitives, stalemate. Nope, EU banned Beef so US 100% tariff on motorcycles. If the EU is to follow suit then they will put 100% tariff on porn. Edited December 10, 2008 by ZIPPY Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b40rt Posted December 10, 2008 Report Share Posted December 10, 2008 If the EU is to follow suit then they will put 100% tariff on porn. Suddenly, things got serious ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thedelaney Posted January 3, 2009 Report Share Posted January 3, 2009 including two engine displacement categories of motorcycles, 51cc to 250cc, and 251cc to 500cc. what if they altered the cylinder of a 250 just slightly so it went from 249.34whatever cc's to 250.5 or something like that so it didnt fall under either catagory? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biffsgasgas Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 what if they altered the cylinder of a 250 just slightly so it went from 249.34whatever cc's to 250.5 or something like that so it didnt fall under either catagory? HA! I like the way you think! That or put 49 cc cylinders piston and heads on them then sell us the cylinder piston and head as an add on kit.... Ut oh i think I have given away too much. Brilliant!!!! --Biff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b40rt Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 HA! I like the way you think! That or put 49 cc cylinders piston and heads on them then sell us the cylinder piston and head as an add on kit.... Ut oh i think I have given away too much. Brilliant!!!! --Biff No the sphinkter police are way ahead of you, they have maximum power, and power to weight ratios ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ishy Posted January 6, 2009 Report Share Posted January 6, 2009 This same thing came up about five years ago, everyone was spouting doom, then it all went away, did the AMA manage to de rail it! I don't know, or is it some ****e a congressman keeps trying to pass every few years ?. I can't see anyone wanting to take the blame for more jobs lost in today's climate, I think like last time it will probably all just go away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulthistle Posted January 14, 2009 Report Share Posted January 14, 2009 (edited) The price of trials bikes will be of little consequence, with land closure bills like this just being voted on in the senate.Senate bill S22Detail showing affected areasScroll down to see all of them! 1300 pages of crap= save the planet, keep everyone out! In an unusual move they worked through sunday to get it passed. Edited January 14, 2009 by paul_thistle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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