Posted on 03/31/2005 4:34:42 AM PST by Rebelbase
BRUSSELS, Belgium (AP) - The European Union said Thursday it will impose sanctions on U.S. products to punish Washington for failing to repeal an antidumping law ruled illegal by the World Trade Organization.
The EU head office said its action would be joined soon by seven other nations, including Japan, South Korea and Brazil, which had all requested the WTO authorize retaliation.
The EU's move would slap additional duties of up to 15 percent as of May 1 on such U.S. products as paper, textiles, machinery and farm produce.
The EU head office said it took its latest step "in light of the continuing failure of the United States to bring its legislation in conformity with its international obligations."
The 25-nation EU has long asked for Washington to repeal the 3-year-old legislation and the Bush administration has been working with Congress to bring it into line with its obligations. Yet the EU executive Commission said it was time to bring further action.
It said that according to the latest information, the level of retaliation would amount to slightly less than $28 million.
The Geneva-based WTO first ruled the U.S. legislation illegal in 2002 and gave the United States until the end of 2003 to conform. When it didn't, the eight complainants were given the option late last year to impose sanctions.
"The EU understands that Canada will be announcing retaliatory measures against certain products from the United States and expects that other co-complainants will soon join it in applying retaliation," the EU head office said.
The other complainants are Brazil, Chile, India, Japan, South Korea and Mexico.
The law, known as the Byrd amendment, allows American companies to receive proceeds from antidumping duties levied on foreign rivals. In four annual distributions, over $1 billion has been distributed to such industries as steel and metal producers and food and household items.
The European Commission said there were no negotiating meetings with U.S. officials planned ahead of the May 1 deadline.
Gee, I guess the NWO (new world order) just isn't going to happen that fast.
I bet these buildiburgers and trilaterialist sure are mad
I like flying into Belgium, Browning firearms, Belgian battle rifles, and the FN factory that made them. The 2004 "Tour" Prologue was in Leige, and the people in Belgium and Luxemburg seem very friendly toward Americans. They have a long history of 'dealing' with their Euro-neighbors.
The chocolate is good too, and the scenery just generally beats the h*ll out of Fr****, which I will not visit for any reason.
I'm guessing they don't have as much say in this as Japan and Germany.
Marshall Plan Payback ping.
One of the "perverse" consequences of this amendment is that it creates a financial incentive for an industry to claim it is being harmed, when no such harm exists.
I'm rather disappointed in Japan...
LOL! And don't forget waffles.
Just seems to me that they have a problem with our form of government - not dictatorial enough to fit into their plans for the future.
One of my favorite places to visit. After all the mascot of the city of Brussels is "The Little Pisser".
The EU seem to have a point as far as the Byrd Amendment goes. It's a law designed to reward a culture of victimhood in American companies.
You are likely correct that we will back down, but we could find something extremely painful for each of those countries and let them know the consequences of their actions, if we wanted to.
Thank Gawd. I'm safe. All my stuff is made in Asia.
Individual taxes should then be slashed by an equivalent amount.
$28 million isn't even noticeable in international trade.
Can someone explain what "antidumpint" is?
Thanks for the recalibration.
"The EU's move would slap additional duties of up to 15 percent as of May 1 on such U.S. products as paper, textiles, machinery and farm produce."
I guess the socialists are desperate, with 12% unemployment. We should help them along by closing our military bases "over there". And skip the purchase of Mercedes, BMW, Volvo, VW's, Audis, Nissans, Michelins.... How about calling in all the unpaid debt from WW II ?
Notice that the EU is pissed off about the United States being unable to bring legislation in conformity with its international obligations but nary a word from the EU about the US courts' growing conformity with international law.
stupid governments getting involved in private businesses, skrewing everything up... corporate welfare, housing welfare, medical welfare, ss welfare, poverty welfare, welfare, welfare, welfare...
I wish the EU and the US would let the voluntary exchanges between private businesses alone.
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