US to slap tariffs on EU, claiming unfair rice barriers

[paineinthearse]

Would you be willing to give up
for

?

I would, any day! And the sooner the better!
============================================
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=1520&ncid=1520&e=17&u=/afp/20050128/pl_afp/useutraderice_050128211522

US to slap tariffs on EU, claiming unfair rice barriers

Fri Jan 28, 4:15 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States said it was slapping punitive tariffs on several European food products in retaliation for what Washington called unfair limits on US rice sold in the EU market.
The office of the US Trade Representative said it was acting under World Trade Organization ruling after failing to reached agreement EU officials over access to the European rice market.

"The EU unilaterally decided last September to change its rice import system by raising tariffs on brown rice imports above the rate to which it had agreed as part of the EUs Uruguay Round obligations," the trade representative's office said in a statement. "The new system unfairly limits the access of American rice farmers to the European market, affecting US brown rice exports valued at approximately 33 million dollars a year on average since 1999."

<snip>

"I'm disappointed we have not been able to resolve this dispute with Europe. We feel that the new European system is unfair," said Trade Representative Robert Zoellick. "We have been trying for months to find a fair resolution that balances the concerns of both sides. Since we have not resolved this problem through negotiations, we have to notify the WTO of our intent to exercise our rights to withdraw concessions."

The action by Washington imposes tariffs on EU products including yogurt, processed cheese, witloof chicory, brussels sprouts, mandarin oranges, paprika, saffron, artichokes, truffles, antipasto, olives, sauerkraut and peaches.

[Up2Late]

1. Rice? They can have Her

:silly:

[underpants]

10. Apparently they don't want her either

You read my mind

[idlisambar]

2. The real problem

It seems that these days, the trade dispute headlines are all about farm/fishing products -- Beef in Japan, Shrimp with Vietnam/China, and now this. Zoellick would earn his money better if he went to bat for our manufactured products once in a while.

[rodeodance]

3. golly gee, what a thing to have a spat over

[Massacure]

4. I wonder if Europe will retaliate.

[Oversea Visitor]

5. What

Happen when they slap back. EU is 28 nations strong. Guess who win.

[Fitzgibbon]

6. Hate to break it to you but the States doesn't do free trade!

Steel. Softwood lumber. Those are just the ones that pop to mind. And the latter one's been being kicked around for nearly a century.

[idlisambar]

7. Are you Canadian?

I am guessing based upon your concern for U.S. lumber protectionism.

Despite certain counterexamples, generally speaking, the U.S. has had its markets wide open to foreign goods in the post-WWII period. Even more so in the liberalization era after the late 70's.

[newyawker99]

8. Hi Fitzgibbon!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[Up2Late]

9. And Don't forget

We STILL don't let ALL Canadian Beef in, what's it been, 3 years now?:hurts:

Yet our Farmers whine after 1 or 2 months.