Comments Sought on EU Products to Consider for Increased Duty Rates

The Office of U.S. Trade Representative has issued a request for comments about potential alternative products imported from the European Union (EU) that are under consideration for the imposition of increased duties. The action arises from an ongoing dispute with the EU over its refusal to allow imports of U.S. meat and meat products produced from animals treated with artificial growth hormones.

According to the U.S. Trade Representative, “The [World Trade Organization] found over 10 years ago that the EU’s ban on U.S. beef was not supported by science and was thus inconsistent with WTO rules. When the EU failed to bring its measures into compliance with its WTO obligations, the United States imposed tariffs on certain imports from the EU, as authorized by the WTO. Since that time, we have been trying to resolve this dispute with the EU without changing the composition of tariffs. It is now time to revisit these tariffs to see if modifications would be appropriate.”

Products already on the list and subject to 100 percent ad valorem duties include beef and pork products, cheeses, some vegetables, truffles, and chocolate. Products under consideration include cut flowers; ornamental foliage; some spices; oats; sausages; chicken, turkey, duck, and goose products; chewing gum; cough drops; hair clippers; and motorcycles (including mopeds). Comments must be submitted by December 8, 2008. The U.S. Trade Representative is “particularly interested in comments addressed to the effects on U.S. small- or medium-size businesses or on consumers of imposing higher duties on particular products.” See Office of U.S. Trade Representative Press Release, October 31, 2008; Federal Register, November 6, 2008.