WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1201/98 by Daniel VARELA SUANZES- CARPEGNA to the Commission. US tariffs on tinned tuna in oil
Date: 1998-04-24
Institutions: European Parliament, VARELA SUANZES-CARPEGNA
Subjects: GATT, United States, World Trade Organisation, customs duties, export (EU), liberalisation of trade, preserved product, sea fish

19. 11. 98

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 354/77

As regards the possible presidential candidature of General Abacha, the Commission is of the opinion that there
already exists an elected President of Nigeria, who was placed in jail by the Nigerian authorities on grounds of
treason almost four years ago. The Commission is currently examining various criteria for judging the credibility
of the present three year democratic transition process announced by General Abacha on 1st October 1995. The
freedom of individuals to stand for the presidency is one such criterion. Ultimately of course, it will be for the
Nigerian people to decide the appropriateness of one or other candidate.

(98/C 354/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1201/98

by Daniel Varela Suanzes-Carpegna (PPE) to the Commission

(24 April 1998)

Subject: US tariffs on tinned tuna in oil

In an increasingly globalized world in which trade (particularly between developed countries) is regulated by the
WTO rules and the conclusions of the GATT Uruguay Round,

can the Commission explain why the USA is allowed to levy a 35% tariff on tinned tuna in oil, whereas the
maximum levied by the EU is 24%?

Does  the  Commission  not  think  that  this  places  Community  tuna  intended  for  the  US  market  at  a  clear
disadvantage in relation to tuna from third countries imported into the EU?

Can the Commission say what action it is taking in order to redress this severe imbalance?

Answer given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(27 May 1998)

It is correct that the United States import duty for canned tuna in oil is 35%. The tariff was bound in the General
agreement on tariffs and trade (GATT) at this level before the Uruguay Round. It was not reduced in the context
of the trade liberalisation negotiated during the Round, and as a consequence, the United States still has a GATT
bound duty rate at 35% for the product in question.

As both the Community and United States duties on this product are applied on a most favoured nation basis,
there is no disadvantage for Community exports to the United States in relation to other exporting countries.
Nevertheless, it cannot be excluded that the higher rate of duty applied for canned tuna in oil in the United States
makes the Community a more attractive market for third countries given its lower duty.

As the United States is respecting its obligations under the GATT World trade organisation (WTO) regarding its
tariff bindings, the Community has no basis under the WTO to contest this tariff. However, it will be possible to
pursue this issue in the context of the next multilateral tariff negotiation.

(98/C 354/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1202/98

by Werner Langen (PPE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Ban on the import and sale of chewing tobacco and snuff in Poland

By law of 6 November 1995 the manufacture and sale of all smokeless tobacco products, i.e. tobacco products
intended for chewing and sniffing, have been prohibited in Poland since 1 May 1996. Chewing tobacco and snuff
are  manufactured  and  consumed  legally  in  all  the  Member  States  of  the  European  Union  and  exported  to  a
number of third countries.