American Motorcyclist Association News Release

Dec. 5, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Pete terHorst

Phone: (877) 877-8969

E-mail: peter.terhorst@sympoint.com

AMA fights possible 100 percent tariffs on certain European

motorcycles

PICKERINGTON, Ohio -- The American Motorcyclist Association (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.

Apologies to all our American friends, but this beggars belief!

Whatever form of logic arrived at these figures, and does the govenrment really think they will recover any money by this? Do they simply want to hurt the EU producing nations to the tune of this fictitious amount? Do they also believe that EU consumers have no other source of Beef and that there is no such thing as a free market??

Fight this, my friends. The government need to fling their toys around in private!

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.

Of course its banned, like we need any more fat B**tards in the UK.

feels somewhat silly, that I didnt notice that someone else posted this info. I just hurried to post the info when I found it.

under the WOW NOT COOL thread, is the information just as I posted but a few days earlier...

Does this mean that the Honda/Montesa out of Japan would be the cheapest Trials Bike at 10K?

Does this mean that the Honda/Montesa out of Japan would be the cheapest Trials Bike at 10K?

I thought they were imported via Spain?