The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that it will be opposing a plan by U.
S trade officials that could double the cost of some European motorcycles imported into the United States.
It would impose a 100 percent import duty on more than 100 European goods, including motorcycles with engines sized between 51cc and 500cc, hitting such companies as Aprilia, Beta, BMW, Fantic, Gas Gas, Husaberg, Husqvarna, KTM, Montesa, Piaggio, Scorpa, Sherco, TM and Vespa.
Designed in retaliation to European Union’s 20-year-old import ban on American beef infused with steroids and hormones, despite a World Trade Organization order to end it.
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.
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.
” “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.
”