Beef Lobby Wants to Disrupt Motorcycle Prices

In the European Union, beef produced in the United States is not welcome but in America, European motorcycle models are.

That has its economic implications considering that the European Union is a big place, comprised of several countries whose consumers are not purchasing American food products. But this problem has absolutely nothing to do with motorcyclists — or their imported motorcycles.

Nevertheless, a group in the United States that lobbies on behalf of the beef industry is now lobbying the U.S. government to go against the EU resolution by placing stiff tariffs on a series of European products, including motorcycles and even mopeds.

If this plan is put in action, the KTM Duke 390, for instance, could cost roughly $20,000 in America.

According to the American Motorcyclist Association, the government’s attempt to add tariffs to European motorcycles is absurd. In a press release, AMA said that its members oppose the plan because “trade disputes residing within the boundaries of the agricultural industry should not be solved with trade sanctions levied against non-agricultural products.”

Concerned bikers who believe their right to have access to the motorcycles they desire without having to pay exorbitant amounts of money due to unrelated trade issues between the two countries are being urged to voice their opinion.

According to a series of news, this is not the first time a similar effort takes  place. Thanks to the hard work of groups like AMA, however, the 2008 plan did not come to fruition. With AMA rallying motorcyclists and retailers against the U.S. plan, the then-proposed tariffs on European products was unsuccessful.

From AMA:

“If the agency enacts this motorcycle tariff, serious and potentially irreversible harm will be done to American small- and medium-sized business owners selling the vehicles and to American families who buy these motorcycles for commuting and outdoor recreation.”

Do you believe AMA is doing the right thing by saying no to this plan?

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