WRITTEN QUESTION No. 232/99 by Ana MIRANDA DE LAGE Increase in tariffs on European exports to the United States
Date: 1999-02-12
Institutions: European Parliament, MIRANDA DE LAGE
Subjects: EU production, United States, customs duties, export (EU), financial loss, trade restriction

C 325/94

Official Journal of the European Communities

EN

12.11.1999

(1999/C 325/124)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0232/99

by Ana Miranda de Lage (PSE) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: Increase in tariffs on European exports to the United States

The trade dispute between the European Union and the United States over the banana market is generating a
wave of trade reprisals targeted at European production sectors which have nothing to do with the dispute in
question. For instance, the market share of the Spanish biscuit sector is being severely threatened by the 100 %
tariff increase introduced.

What will the Commission do to protect this European sector from arbitrary reprisals of this kind?

Will the Commission give details of the total number of products affected, the estimated volume of exports, the
loss of market share and the countries which may stand to benefit from measures taken against European
products?

Joint answer
to Written Questions E-0231/99 and E-0232/99
given by Sir Leon Brittan on behalf of the Commission

(11 March 1999)

The Commission would refer the Honourable Member to the statement it gave in Parliament’s plenary meeting
on 9 March 1999 on the commercial dispute between the European Union and the United States of America
concerning bananas.

(1999/C 325/125)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0233/99

by Antonio Tajani (PPE) to the Commission

(12 February 1999)

Subject: Possibility of a new Eurotax in Italy

Is the Commission aware that the Italian Chief Government Accountant, Andrea Monorchio, has stated that, in
order to balance the national budget by 2002, as required by the Stability Pact, Italy will need to take measures
costing approximately ITL 60 000 billion and will be required to increase taxes?

Does it consider that an increase in taxes and the possible introduction of a new Eurotax will be damaging to
the Italian economy?

Has the Italian Government ever discussed with the Commission the possible introduction of a second
Eurotax?

Did the suggestions made by the Commission to the Italian Government as to how to ensure compliance with
the Stability Pact include that of increasing taxation?

What would be the consequences for Italy of the d’Alema government failing to balance the national budget?

Answer given by Mr de Silguy on behalf of the Commission

(29 March 1999)

The Commission assessed the Italian fiscal position on the occasion of the presentation of the Italian stability
programme 1999-2001, which was approved by the Ecofin Council on 8 February 1999.

The stability programme indicates that the corrective measures required in 1999, 2000 and 2001 amount to
0,4 %, 0,2 % and 0,1 % of gross domestic product (GDP) respectively. If additional interventions are necessary,
the Italian government has committed itself to ‘take such measures, if needed’. The budgetary targets for 2002
will be announced in May, when the ‘Documento di programmazione economica e finanziaria’ for 2000-2002
will be presented to the Parliament.