sting32 Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grahamjayzee Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
b40rt Posted December 11, 2008 Report Share Posted December 11, 2008 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sting32 Posted December 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 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... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kramit Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 Does this mean that the Honda/Montesa out of Japan would be the cheapest Trials Bike at 10K? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
motofire Posted December 12, 2008 Report Share Posted December 12, 2008 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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