Washington DC Office 307 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, D.C. 20510 Phone: 202-224-6441 Fax: 202-224-1724 Wyoming Office P.O. Box 22201 Casper, WY 82602 307-261-6413   Issue Statements Sponsored Bills Committee Assignments A bill to authorize tariffs against Japan if they fail to resume the import of U.S. beef. Date Introduced: 06/21/06 Bill Number: S.3548 Description:  Following the discovery of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) in a U.S. cow more than two years ago, Japan banned the import of U.S. beef. Despite pledges that Japan would open its market to our beef, Japan has failed to do so. The bill would require the U.S. Trade Representative to certify to Congress by August 31, 2006 that Japan is no longer prohibiting the importation of U.S. beef. If certification does not occur, the U.S. Treasury must impose additional tariffs on goods grown, produced or manufactured in Japan. The tariffs would be imposed on imports of articles from Japan in an amount equal to $3.14 billion annually. The tariffs will terminate when certification is submitted to Congress that Japan is no longer blocking imports of U.S. beef. « Back to Sponsored Bills Home | Privacy Policy | Text Only | Contact This Home Page is maintained by the office of Senator Craig Thomas. Please send comments to webmaster@thomas.senate.gov