Amid discussions with EU, USTR delays tariff til May 9
Just yesterday, the U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said he was delaying the tariffs scheduled to go into effect today on a whole new list of European specialty foods—until May 9. Kirk, in a statement, said the delay allows the USTR more time to negotiate with the EU.
In the statement, Kirk said there was recent signs of progress in negotiations with the E.U. “(European) Commissioner Ashton and I have been working to deal with this difficult problem, and I appreciate her commitment to resolving it. The EU has demonstrated seriousness in their efforts to solve this problem, and two additional weeks should be sufficient to establish whether we can address the remaining issues successfully,” he said.
Good news for importers stockpiling European chocolate bars, Italian mineral waters and Roquefort cheese. Or is it? If the negotiations are successful, what will everyone do with all the extra inventory. Time for a sale? Let me know your thoughts.
Anna Wolfe
editor of Gourmet News
In the statement, Kirk said there was recent signs of progress in negotiations with the E.U. “(European) Commissioner Ashton and I have been working to deal with this difficult problem, and I appreciate her commitment to resolving it. The EU has demonstrated seriousness in their efforts to solve this problem, and two additional weeks should be sufficient to establish whether we can address the remaining issues successfully,” he said.
Good news for importers stockpiling European chocolate bars, Italian mineral waters and Roquefort cheese. Or is it? If the negotiations are successful, what will everyone do with all the extra inventory. Time for a sale? Let me know your thoughts.
Anna Wolfe
editor of Gourmet News
posted by Anna Wolfe at 12:59 PM
1 Comments:
Although we did stock pile 10 times the normal amount of product, we would be THRILLED if the tariffs are stopped. These products are neccesary to foster the culture of connoisseurship required to sell highend specialty food products.
Matt Caputo
Director of Marketing
Tony Caputo's Market and Deli
NASFT 2009 Outstanding Retailer
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