What's the beef? American beef issue could keep European motorcycles out
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Here's an interesting question: what does American beef treated with growth hormones have to do with the price of European motorcycles in the United States? The answer, surprisingly enough, could be plenty. It seems that the European Union has refused to lift a longstanding ban on the steroid-infused beef from the US despite a World Trade Organization order to end it. In retaliation, the US Trade Representative is considering adding a 100 percent tariff to European motorcycles with engines sized between 51cc and 500ccs.
This possible tariff is supposed to equal $116.8 million in import duties, which is what the WTO claims that the US agricultural industry misses out on yearly due to the EU ban on its meat. Considering that this is a political issue and not something directly related to the Aprilia, Beta, BMW, Fantic, Gas Gas, Husaberg, Husqvarna, KTM, Montesa, Piaggio, Scorpa, Sherco, TM and Vespa products themselves, we'll leave the comments up to others as to the fairness of the issue. We will add, though, that many US drivers have been turning to these small displacement machines in order to save a few bucks on gas.
Gallery: 2009 Vespa S 50
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[Source: AMA]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
zeh 8:24PM (12/08/2008)
Steroid infused beef, why would you eat that in the first place?
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why not the LS2LS7? 8:56PM (12/08/2008)
Why is everyone in that article getting so excited? This kind of thing happens all the time. It's how the WTO works. If the other side refuses to straighten up, you are allowed to select something of theirs to tariff, and you usually try to hit them where it hurts most.
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jon 9:12PM (12/08/2008)
there are so many things wrong with this situation that i don't even know where to start.
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noz 9:15PM (12/08/2008)
LS2:
So THEY have to start eating your crap beef so that you do them a favor by not taxing their mopeds?
LOL...yeah I'm sure that'll make sense to them. No wonder they think the US is filled with idiots.
They are refusing to straighten up...haha....that made me laugh.
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why not the LS2LS7? 11:02PM (12/08/2008)
It has nothing to do with what I think. Where did I indicate my position on this issue?
This is how the WTO works. If you refuse to open to free trade, then retaliatory tariffs are authorized.
srue 10:06PM (12/08/2008)
I just want to tip my hat to ABG for staying neutral on the political question. Thanks folks.
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David 11:44PM (12/08/2008)
Sounds like blackmail - I have an idea: let's all become vegetarian until the meat industry lifts their tariff!
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mike!!ekiM 10:20PM (12/08/2008)
Hey, you Euro's have it lucky, you don't have to eat this crap beef and you get mopeds!
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why not the LS2LS7? 12:59AM (12/09/2008)
No one is forced to eat "crap beef", or any kind of beef for that matter. If you don't like it, don't buy it. That goes for Europeans too.
Mike!!ekiM 7:42AM (12/09/2008)
If you can't buy hormone free, steroid free beef, then what I said is true.
Just like the auto industry, you want a 50 mpg diesel, or an EV1, well, we'll sell you a Big V8 SUV and you'd better be happy with it.
Industrial Corruption leading to Political Corruption to stop consumers from getting the product they want to buy.
G-Meister 10:39AM (12/09/2008)
A- You CAN buy hormone free beef just fine in the states. And you can easily afford to eat as much of it as the average European. But the bulk (pun in tended) of the public doesn't care enough about what they eat.
American auto makers didn't sell the EV1 or many other fuel efficient cars because there weren't enough people willing to pay enough to make money. Sorry. Everyone else has long had a model based against $4-6 fuel, so they were able to make money on those vehicles at home, and sell cars here at a break-even.
John Rowell 11:13PM (12/08/2008)
Our government leaders can come across as so childish.
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stevefazek 1:33AM (12/09/2008)
Yeah its perfectly fair thats the point of the WTO.
The US actually should do it with cars, Right now Korea, China, England and the EU tax American cars at 50-100% while we tax them at 2.5% lets see how they like a 100% tariff on a Hyundai accent.
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Max 2:22AM (12/09/2008)
stevefazek:
Where are your sources for the % ?
The EU does not tax American cars 50-100% at all.....but I think Korea and India tax 100%.
Mr. Guiyotinne 4:09AM (12/09/2008)
Grouth hormone beef is not a political issue; it´s more of a health issue.
But I guess we don´t know what kind of cr*p they´re giving us here too (spain). Maybe just not so abusive cuantities.
And to LS2LS7. Here the gorverment doesn´t obligate by law to mark the origin of meat. So people wouldn´t know they are buying U.S. G.H. Beef. Kind of bad...
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Sorin 9:54AM (12/11/2008)
They don't get the beef becouse their goverment pays for the health insurance or a part of it(like 50% in some countries)...sooo...they want their people healthy... here ...notttt, you got to be sick to stop at the doctors more ofen and keep the bussiness going.
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swaan 4:24PM (12/09/2008)
Relax guys,
wait until next year when Codex Alimentarius comes along from WHO! Their intent is to make genetically / chemically alterered foor indistinguishable for the consumer. Then the meat will come. For profits!
Btw. WHO has nothing to do with health and a everything to do with gene tech and chemical industry based food production (dupont, monsanto)
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MBS 10:09AM (12/09/2008)
I guess it's more important to Europe to protect the Belgian, steroid infused beef industry than to help it's moped industry.
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gmpphotography 11:03AM (12/09/2008)
"No one is forced to eat "crap beef", or any kind of beef for that matter. If you don't like it, don't buy it. That goes for Europeans too".
Rigjht, Europeans don't buy it. So what's with the mopeds?
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lhitz 10:51AM (12/09/2008)
The auto guys should give back to the people that have no transportation, that could even help employment, ie. If I could get there, I could work there. Food thought. Thanks L.
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