In recent weeks, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has pressured South Korea not to increase tariffs on imported cigarettes. In
the face of the pressure, South Korea quickly backed down, deciding earlier this month to impose a 10 percent tariff on imported cigarettes,
instead of a 40 percent tariff.
In recent weeks, the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) has pressured South Korea not to increase tariffs on imported cigarettes. In
the face of the pressure, South Korea quickly backed down, deciding earlier this month to impose a 10 percent tariff on imported cigarettes,
instead of a 40 percent tariff.
This action by USTR Robert Zoellick breaks with a Clinton administration policy not to use the trade and foreign policy machinery of the U.S.
government to apply direct pressure on countries on tobacco-related public health policies.
It is clear from World Bank and numerous other studies that lower tariffs on cigarettes result in higher smoking rates – which cause more
preventable death and disease.
While Korea has already succumbed to U.S. pressure, it is vital that people in the United States and around the world contact the U.S. Trade
Representative to demand that he stop using his power and influence to advance the interests of Philip Morris and Big Tobacco. Countless lives are at stake.
Act now! Send a FREE FAX to USTR Robert Zoellick.
And read more background on the issue:
Korea: Seoul Backs Down on Proposed Cigarette Tariff
Please pass this alert on to friends and colleagues. Thank you for your support.
Author: CorpWatch Action Team
News Service: CorpWatch
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