Posted on 03/10/2009 12:09:18 PM PDT by Responsibility2nd
President Barack Obama has yet to answer a U.S. congressman's plea to spare France's Roquefort cheese from a crippling 300-percent import duty, the lawmaker's office said Monday.
Democratic Representative James Oberstar wrote Obama on February 2, urging him to take steps against "this mean-spirited and unproductive punitive duty" as part of a campaign "to reestablish America's moral authority in the world."
Oberstar, who hails from Minnesota, was taking aim at a measure imposed in the final days of George W. Bush's presidency as part of a package of duties in retaliation for a European ban on US beef containing hormones.
Oberstar, who co-chairs the 100-member congressional French caucus founded to counter anti-France sentiment around the Iraq war, has yet to hear back from the White House, an aide told AFP.
"Reducing or eliminating this petty tariff would be a strong gesture to the French people that the new administration values its partnership with the European Union," the Democratic lawmaker said through a spokesman.
"The current global economic crisis is threatening Roquefort cheese producers just as it threatens Minnesota families in my district; it has never been more important to work with our friends to maintain mutually beneficial trade agreements," he said.
In January, the president of Roquefort's home region sent Obama a specially sealed box of Roquefort to celebrate his inauguration.
(Excerpt) Read more at newsmax.com ...
All I defended was what Bush did to the french cheese.
My thoughts exactly.
I'm a pretty solid free trade guy, and retaliatory tariffs, properly levied, should reduce tariffs overall.
If the frogs want to play hardball, bitch slap them and their stupid cheese. They have so much more to lose in a trade war.
No. I said it was the current criminals in DC that have that plan in mind.
Sarko=est avec du charme
If you have your picture taken in France, does the photographer tell you to say, “Fromage?”
“I’m a pretty solid free trade guy, and retaliatory tariffs, properly levied, should reduce tariffs overall.”
Tarriff or no, I still will not buy their silly cheese. All you fair-weather, cheese-eating, French-haters should do the same. There are American farmers who could use the commerce.
Magic Zer0 is still attacking Bush. Never mind that GWB and Laura graciously showed him and Ma ‘guns’ around the WH. tour.
The day a French President beats up and American one will be the day we truly fall.
Obama Cheese Nazi:
“No Cheese for You!!”
Actually no. When I was in France a couple years ago. A Frenchman offered to take our pictures. He said say cheese and I said in emglish or french. He said you don't smile when you say it in french.
“Camembert?”
“Ah! We do have some Camembert, sir......It’s a bit runny, sir....’Well as a matter of fact it’s very runny, sir....I think it’s runnier than you like it, sir...Yes, sir.” (bends below counter and reappears) “Oh...The cat’s eaten it.”
“Venezuelan Beaver Cheese?”
Thanks Cincinna. Havarti begun to worry about the trade war Obama’s trying to foment with Europe in order to sever our traditional alliances so that the Moslems can take over their divided enemies.
This French President, Sarkozy, can knock over the wuss Obama with a feather, physically, politically, inyellectually, metaphorically, and by sheer force of will.
Things have totally changed since Sarko got elected. I guess you missed it.
I’ve noticed, I won’t pretend otherwise. It’s perverse though that the French have a tougher President than we do.
I guess Michelle didn't like it.
Not much of cheese shop is it?
We have Obama. That says it all.
Well at least I just bought some Brie to put on my ham sandwich. Great combination.
Hi,
You know how I feel about French cheese!! (my fave is Reblochon!) But I’m in Paris and can always afford it!
Seriously, Cincinna, who in the States buys these cheeses anyway? Is this really such a big market?
(BTW, American cheese is not cheese.)
Bisous, Sarah
“Only two percent of Roquefort’s annual production of 18,500 tonnes of blue veined goats’ milk cheese is exported to the United States”
No wonder why most French don’t give a damn!
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