George W. Bush's stinky parting gift
Posted by Geoffrey Manne on January 20, 2009
Bush has proved himself to be a statist, protectionist ignoramus on many occasions. But this, one of his final acts in office, is simply appalling:
People in the southern French district of Lozeyron are having a hard time swallowing US President George W. Bush’s parting gift: a tripling to 300 percent in import duty on their world-famous Roquefort cheese.
“Tonnes of produce are going to go up in smoke,” protested one of the seven local producers of the distinctive soft blue cheese. It was a hammer blow to the local region, he said.
The swingeing tariff increase, part of a longstanding trade row between the United States and the European Union, has effectively priced them out of the US market, say producers.
It’s both protectionist idocy as well as an affront to cheese lovers everywhere. Gordon–are you reading this!?!?!
What an ass. Good riddance.
3 Responses to “George W. Bush's stinky parting gift”
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Mario Rizzo said
Ronald Reagan increased the tariff on pasta. We should follow 19th century Britain and have a policy of unilateral free trade. But not a chance in the current political environment.
Nancyf said
You globalists should be taxed heavily-and often. No wonder you have an attitude eating stinky cheese like this.
TRUTH ON THE MARKET » A bright spot in the bleak financial industry regulatory firmament said
[...] shortly before Bush left office (with one hand he gave us Troy Paredes; with the other he gave us import duties on Roquefort cheese. I leave it to you to assess the net), Troy is a once and presumably future law professor, treatise [...]