. Beltway Ad' Urges Carousel Retaliation

February 14, 2000

The National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) used newspaper advertisements to urge Congress to support a "carousel" approach to retaliation against nation's found using unfair trade tactics. A carousel retaliation means that retaliatory duties on a nation's exports will be rotated among various export products.

The ad said this year is critical for trade, and global trade can work when all countries abide by fair trade rules. Carousel retaliation legislation is a priority for NCBA. If implemented, retaliation would periodically shift the 100% tariff on imported goods among European Union member countries. Carousel retaliation is aimed at keep the EU off guard and pushing it to negotiate or settle trade disputes, says NCBA.

NCBA supported the advertisements in Congressional Quarterly, Roll Call (an 18,000 circulation bi-weekly) and The Hill ( a 21,000 circulation weekly).

U.S. Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky told a House Ways and Means subcommittee last week that the administration is considering rotating retaliatory duties on some European products. She said she has asked that an interagency panel examine whether changing the retaliation list could negatively affect negotiations with the EU and what impact the change would have on U.S. interests.