What's the Beef?

The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) has announced that it will be opposing a plan by U.S trade officials that could double the cost of some European motorcycles imported into the United States.

It would impose a 100 percent import duty on more than 100 European goods, including motorcycles with engines sized between 51cc and 500cc, hitting such companies as Aprilia, Beta, BMW, Fantic, Gas Gas, Husaberg, Husqvarna, KTM, Montesa, Piaggio, Scorpa, Sherco, TM and Vespa.

Designed in retaliation to European Union’s 20-year-old import ban on American beef infused with steroids and hormones, despite a World Trade Organization order to end it. The United States wants to impose $116.8 million in import duties to equal the amount of money it claims the U.S. beef industry loses each year because of the ban.