EU tariffs worry US businesses

5 June 2000



EU tariffs worry US businesses

SMALL businesses in the United States claim they could be forced out of business unless they are exempt from European import tariffs.

American companies which depend on European imports say are lobbying for Congress to create a loophole for them in carousel tariffs.

The US imposed 100% tariffs on some European imports after the European Union ignored a World Trade Organisation ruling.

The ruling had ordered Brussels it to change its import policies and free-up international trade on bananas and beef.

The US accused the EU of favouring banana imports from former colonies. It is unhappy that the EU refuses US hormone-treated beef.