The US has their cake and eats it [Archive]

MJM

9th March 2002, 01:37

So the US wants a global economy and free trade?
Why do they put tariffs on their steel all of a sudden, they want freedom to get what they want thats all.
Bush wanted the steel workers to vote for him so now it's pay back time.
This isn't the only time this has happened there's tariffs on new zealand lamb products- after an agreement had been made between the two nations contrary to this.
How many more examples are there I wonder.

some comments
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politi...000/1858161.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/uk_politics/newsid_1858000/1858161.stm)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/...000/1856760.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_1856000/1856760.stm)

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/...000/1860024.stm (http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_1860000/1860024.stm)

MJM

9th March 2002, 01:46

US vs Russia

http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?...&StoryID=680654 (http://www.reuters.com/news_article.jhtml?type=search&StoryID=680654)
U.S. fires new salvo in trade clash with Russia

March 08, 2002 05:51 PM ET

By Elaine Monaghan

WASHINGTON, March 8 (Reuters) - The United States fired a new salvo in its chickens-and-steel clash with Russia on Friday, saying Moscow had no grounds for banning U.S. poultry and declaring its own steel tariffs virtually harmless to Russia.

Secretary of State Colin Powell discussed the issue with Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov on Friday "because we've been very disappointed by Russia's precipitous ban on U.S. poultry exports," State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said.

"We're very concerned that the ban is not based on legitimate safety considerations," he added, referring to a block announced last Friday on U.S. chicken and turkey meat for import violations and the use of drugs banned by Moscow.

Russia's move came amid expectations of big steel import tariffs that President George W. Bush announced on Tuesday, provoking protests around the world.

The Russian Agriculture Ministry accused U.S. importers of repeatedly bringing in poultry meat without a license from the Russian veterinary department, with incorrect package markings or without certificates proving their safety.

It said it had stopped issuing U.S. import licenses immediately and that products unloaded before Sunday, when a full ban is due to take effect, would only be allowed if "the necessary veterinary requirements are observed".

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick subsequently slammed the move, saying, "There's a lot of Americans eating chicken and they don't seem to be too sick."

He said he told Russia's ambassador that failure to scrap the threat to half of U.S. poultry exports would hurt Russia's chances of getting smoother access to radically reduced import tariff levels enjoyed by most U.S. trade partners.

Moscow has pushed hard for the removal of the so-called Jackson-Vanik amendment that was imposed in 1974 because of Soviet restrictions on emigration.

The dispute comes at a time of improving relations between the former Cold War foes due to a joint focus on terrorism, although U.S. plans to send army instructors to the former Soviet republic of Georgia have ruffled Moscow's feathers.

Boucher said Russia's move would hurt American producers severely and limit choice and increase costs for Russians.

But Bush's tariffs of up to 30 percent on steel would only affect $140 million worth of Russia's exports to the United States of more than $6.5 billion, Boucher said.

"Under the tariff rate quota established for slab steel, Russia will continue to be able to ship slab, its single largest steel export, at recent levels to the United States free from additional tariffs," he added.

The Russian government has estimated the new tariffs would cost the country $400 million to $500 million a year in revenues.

Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov said on Wednesday that Russia might back down on the poultry ban if U.S. documents satisfied agriculture officials.

Boucher said the United States had provided detailed technical information and was ready for consultations.

"Food safety is a top concern for the U.S. government and all foods processed in the United States must conform to strict safety standards," he added.

"Under international trading rules, to which Russia plans to accede, any actions taken against imports on the basis of food safety must be scientifically justified," he added.

The United States has backed Russia's efforts to join the World Trade Organization, although Zoellick suggested recently it could take years of work to get there.