Harley-Davidson vs the E.U.?

Lost Cause

It's a wrap!
Joined
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Same Bullshit...Different Day!



Mar. 22 - The AMA has strongly denounced a proposal by the European Union to slap Harley-Davidson motorcycles with a stiff tariff in a trade war with the United States over steel.

To retaliate against tariffs recently placed on imported steel by the United States, Pascal Lamy, trade commissioner of the 15-nation European Union, is assembling a list of American goods that could be subject to heavy European tariffs. The list includes Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Tropicana orange juice, textiles and steel products.

If the proposal is approved by the European Union, Harleys could be hit with the tariff in about a year.

"There is no reason for motorcycles to be caught up in this trade war," said Edward Moreland, AMA vice president for government relations. "Tariffs would not only be detrimental to the Harley-Davidson Motor Company, but could make Harleys too expensive for European enthusiasts.

"Harley-Davidson is being made a pawn in a high-stakes international chess match," Moreland added.

The AMA plans to work with European motorcycling groups to convince the European Union to drop the idea of tariffs on Harleys.

This isn’t the first time that motorcycles have been caught up in a trade war between the United States and Europe. Several years ago U.S. trade officials threatened to impose a 100 percent import duty on certain European motorcycles sold in the United States, which would have essentially doubled their price.

Those import duties were being proposed in retaliation for the European Union’s ban on the importation of hormone-treated American beef. U.S. officials drew up a list of products that would be subject to a 100 percent import duty, including European motorcycles ranging from 51cc to 500cc in engine displacement.

Thanks to the efforts of the AMA, its members and the motorcycle industry, U.S. trade officials decided against imposing the 100 percent import duty on the European motorcycles.

© 2002, American Motorcyclist Association
 
Huh. Politics and power struggles again.

But I wonder why Harleys and not Honda or some other make? Are they not made in the states too? Or is it because they are not American-owned?

And orange juice? What the hell does that have to do with steel? :confused:
 
Good Point!

It would be more proper perhaps for them to incite the workers not to patronize the local Euro-Mickey D's.
 
harley davison has been picked because it is based in a key electoral area
wisconsin is a key area and could hit george w bush hard in the next election
 
pabloback said:
harley davison has been picked because it is based in a key electoral area
wisconsin is a key area and could hit george w bush hard in the next election

Bush lost Wisconsin without the help or harm of the EU in 2000. Pissing off a few biker workers might backfire.
 
Harley Davidson don't seem to have much luck with this mess. They'd already suffered because the steel tariffs would push up the cost of their raw materials.
 
Don't worry, they will pass it on to thier loyal consumer base...
 
SINthysist said:
Don't worry, they will pass it on to thier loyal consumer base...

LOYAL CUSTOMER BASE!!! Ha ha ha ha ha ha ..sorry give me a minute to stop laughing....

Ok I think Ive gathered myself.Im sure i detected sarcasm in your post as well

Loyal idiots is more like it! Let me explain. Ever since the AMF days Harley has tried harder and harder to distance themselves from their "loyal customer base". This is evident when you go to any "Authorized Merchandise Retailer" Their main sales demographic has gone from your average blue color hard riding biker, to the 6 figure weekend warrior.

The dealerships are told to "encourage" riders of older models (pre 90) to upgrade. While bringing our 1956 Panhead chopper in for an inspection, we were coaxed coerced and harrassed about not buying the new fathead.

Now dont get me wrong I have met many a brother and sister who after years of hard riding have worked their way up to the newer cushier models for some comforts sake on a road weary back. But if you look in their garage you still see the tried and true waiting to go for a putt.

So yes Harley will again pass the price increase on. Let them pass it on the the t-shirt wearers and wannabe's

And as to their true "loyal customer base" they will continue to scour swapmeets, newspapers, and back road bike shops for what once was a true american legend.
 
the price increases will only be in europe
this is one battle the us wil not be allowed to win
 
fuck other country products

fuck other country products het the nice american badass cycle's from Harley Davidson!
 
Re: fuck other country products

greekrebel1153 said:
fuck other country products het the nice american badass cycle's from Harley Davidson!

typical harleylover=brainout and stoopid
 
Don't 'cha just love it when politicians get in pissing matches? Who suffers? You and I. It's either tariffs or boycotts, or fucking war. Who fights the fights? Who has to reach deeper into their pockets? Us! Why not put tariffs on the RAW material instead of the finished products?

The politicians in the Socialist State of Washington have adopted this school of thought. Over seventy percent voted to a reduction in the rate taxes can be raised. The politicians answer? They cut police, fire department, and handicapped bus service!! The masters want to punish the slaves for raising their voices.

Our friends in Europe have probably been living under this type of thinking, but this is new to us in the colonies.

I'm glad I have an old Harley Panhead, and will not be buying a new one...ever! .2003 is Harley's 100th birthday.
 
Paaah

You Harley owners didn't complain too much in the late 80's & earlry 90's when the US Govt levied tarriffs on all other brands of bike above 750cc to save Harleys ass from extinction. Damn short memories. The US place tariffs on all sorts of imports to safe guard their own industries. The Steel tariffs are just another example of protecting failing industries in a FREE MARKET ECONOMY. If you cant compete, fix it, dont tax the competition out of existance then still call it FREE MARKET.
 
Re: Paaah

Draco said:
The Steel tariffs are just another example of protecting failing industries in a FREE MARKET ECONOMY. If you cant compete, fix it, dont tax the competition out of existance then still call it FREE MARKET.
You said it brother... :D
 
Re: Paaah

Draco said:
You Harley owners didn't complain too much in the late 80's & earlry 90's when the US Govt levied tarriffs on all other brands of bike above 750cc to save Harleys ass from extinction. Damn short memories. The US place tariffs on all sorts of imports to safe guard their own industries. The Steel tariffs are just another example of protecting failing industries in a FREE MARKET ECONOMY. If you cant compete, fix it, dont tax the competition out of existance then still call it FREE MARKET.

And YOUR government doesn't do the same thing?

Yeah, right.

And I do believe it was earlier than the late 80's that this protectionism happened.
 
Kitte, it sounds like you have a crappy dealer, just out to make a buck. Have you tried different ones in your area? Maybe an independent bike shop. After all, your 1956 Panhead is not under warranty. ;)
 
V-Twins... i don't see no V-Twins

Hey! With the $ US so high, and Harley having such an expensive workfirce, who cares? :devil: People that have to have a Hawg will pay through the nose for that nameplate. :devil:

Real, reliable, fast equipment is available at basically HALF the cost...

Suzuki 1100 Sport, Vincent anything, Kawie Vulcan, Yamaha V-Star, Honda Shadow... and even the Duke, are stiffer-framed, FASTER, stop better and more reliable, IMHO - as one who has been riding since 1967, :D

Now, as was said earlier - a Buell IS a real motorcycle - in spite of its parentage, engine-wise... and isn't a certain motorcycle company now selling a LIQUID-cooled V-twin engineered in Zuffenhausen... :rolleyes:
 
Why is it that every time a motorcycle thread gets started, it veers wildly off course, and turns into a "who's best" competition?

What the fuck does it really matter? You can't convince a sport bike (crotch rocket, death machine, dare to be stupid) rider to switch to a cruiser/tourer.
The same way you can't convince a cruiser (rolling living room, underpowered, fat old geezer recliner) rider to switch to a sport bike.

Yes, I'm giving equal insults. Get over it! And no, we don't need an endless parade of fucking pics. :p The issue is about trade sanctions, not which make is better for which purpose. Geeze, people!

I'm not meaning any personal offense, really. I just get tired of threads veering so far off topic. It's very frustrating.
 
April said:
Why is it that every time a motorcycle thread gets started, it veers wildly off course, and turns into a "who's best" competition?

What the fuck does it really matter? You can't convince a sport bike (crotch rocket, death machine, dare to be stupid) rider to switch to a cruiser/tourer.
The same way you can't convince a cruiser (rolling living room, underpowered, fat old geezer recliner) rider to switch to a sport bike.

Yes, I'm giving equal insults. Get over it! And no, we don't need an endless parade of fucking pics. :p The issue is about trade sanctions, not which make is better for which purpose. Geeze, people!

I'm not meaning any personal offense, really. I just get tired of threads veering so far off topic. It's very frustrating.

Sorry, Ma'am. :eek:

All I meant was that Harley is already overpriced - and people buy them for the "cachet", so if they end up being more money in Europe, it won't matter significantly... (chastened, for motormouthing... :( )
 
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