On January 17, I reported on the 100% tax proposed by the Office of United States Trade Representative on imported European Union motorcycles with an engine size between 51cc and 500cc. The reason?
The European Union bans the import of beef and beef products produced from animals fed with growth-hormones. Of course, there is no logical link between motorcycles and beef, but it’s the way trade is sometimes negotiated between countries.
“Should the availability of motorcycles be hindered by these unjustified trade sanctions, dealerships may close, leaving countless Americans without jobs,” said Wayne Allard, AMA vice president of government relations. “The negative effects of the proposed sanctions will not only harm the motorcycle sales industry, but will spread through the aftermarket equipment sector, recreation equipment sales, the sports entertainment industry and further down the line.”
Political cartoonist/author and faithful reader Paul Jamiol gifted me with the above cartoon to bring your attention to this important issue.
Great.
Ringling Brothers isn’t shutting down…they’re moving inside to the West Wing.
With Pt II of the plan being to extend that tariff to 500cc and above . And like those 20%+ tariffs the Blatherskite wants to impose on all Mexican imports to fund his wall . Guess who gets to pay for it ?
You ! The consumer . Thats who ! Your final purchase price including double the original tariff when all is said and done .
And yes ; The lunatics have well and truly taken over the asylum lock stock and barrel .
” This Is NOT America “
Forcing another culture to ingest your chemically enhanced food isn’t right…
I dont know if US Beef is hormone grown, I do know the the EU make up as much as they can to keep others out of their market. I work for a company that imports Eurpoean machinery and they change the rules to keep others out. That comes from an EU factory manager.
A number of US manufacturers have bought or built factories there so they can keep selling their goods.
Maybe your Govt is just fighting back, probably not that well thought out in this case but I can understand the intent.
Try selling goods to China, Japan and the EU they have plenty of rules protecting their factories and agriculture
And who pray tell pays for those tariffs once implemented ? Why you the consumer . Thats who To the tune double on average of the original cost of the tariff put in place .
Yes siree . Make America Great Again . By destroying it from within .
the small bike/atv/scooter market has been flooded with disposable junk for the last 10 years, i think only 100% on those would be a gift, bleeding hearts need not apply.
Don’t blame Trump, he didn’t take office until the 20th.
This was set in motion by the “Light-bringer”.
Good point HD-Heathen. I’m an Aussie (so perhaps none of my business) but I like the way Mr (President) Trump is stirring up the establishment – globally. And a whole lot of so-called ‘progressives) in the process. Haven’t had so much fun in a long time.
If you like the idea of being told which bike you should be able to buy, then so be it. It’s your funeral. Land of the free? Lol!
Agree with Heathen. Why blame Trump? He didn’t make this POS.
If you can’t stomach this little setback brace yourself, kids have been in the white house for almost 30 years. A lot of people do not know what change even should look like, it looks like new money, in my pocket. I can not afford for hearts and wallets to bleed anymore. Don’t worry new deals will be struck.
We have been lax on our food, but this is simply politics 101.
Yup–totally agree with H-D Heathen, the Aussie and SYF. To many Americans (the left) have been used to having things their way. Now “real change) Donald has been elected and changing things for the better. It is a breath of fresh air no doubt. Hopefully the cow thing can be sorted out soon. The small bikes introduce a lot of folks to the sport, and are a blast to ride.
Grey B
Ringling Brothers isn’t shutting down…they’re moving inside to the West Wing.
good one
I thought it was uncle Jed and the family who moved into the west wing.close to the same cast of yahoos
New Elli Mae has to figure out how to use rope for a belt and not use it to choke her creepy dad for pawing her……and I can’t wait till they all sit around the
Billyyard table to eat :)…….
Jethro has this administration figured out
I think I got this game figured out. You throw the ball down this gully. Then you throw yourself down the other gully, and try to hit them snake-hittin’ clubs before the ball does.
That’s some good dope 1550tc
Regardless of political perspective, can we at least all agree that tying motorcycle and parts sales to beef disputes is just bad politics?
It’s too late to worry about playing the blame game (no, this isn’t Trump’s doing); if this impacts your bottom line, call your elected officials today. That’s much more effective than mud-slinging and name calling on a motorcycle forum.
This is all too common. You may not be familiar with the chicken tax. Check it out – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicken_tax
It was put in in the early 60’s. It’s still here. By the way, the progressive socialists put it in.
As for those that use every opportunity to bash Trump – two points. 1st – your head is on a swivel because he is running circles around you.
2nd – and this is a pretty big one – note the date this was placed into effect – January 17. Do you recall who was President on January 17? Yeah – the same guy emptying out the prisons and sending 200 million to Hamas.
Its going to be fun watching the reaction from those that are calendar challenged when Trump reverses this action.
WOW…..
Just look at the amount of Hillary and Bernie Political Science Majors posting here now that they are out of work. Some of the comments posted here are truly reflective of far-out lefties lost in their hallucinogenic haze of blue sky and swirling wiffle dust.
Free rides over keyboard commandos….
President Trump and his train is rolling through and cleaning up the inadequacies and unfair trade left by others. Stop shopping for the cheapest prices from imports, buy quality over quantity. Support America, rebuild and conquer. Eat, sleep and repeat!
President Trump clearly saw through you leftist wanks. Yes some taxes will increase and others shall lower. Don’t like it, change it or move!
Enjoy the ride on the train, I am!
Git Real
Starting a trade war is the way to cook a deep recession. Trump is an authoritarian with no clue about government.
So let me get this straight they don’t want our meat. So we tax the motor cycles from them.
What about the meat we don’t sell ?