Importer sues over 50% tariff on Canadian cheese

What BBN said about it

1. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorA New Jersey importer says it paid more than sixty thousand dollars in tariffs on one shipment of goat cheese worth about one hundred twenty thousand.

2. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorJoining us is Fiona Maddox-Ruiz, Minister of Dairy Trade. Minister, the complaint says collection began seven days after the September eighth proclamation. Is that right?

3. FM

   Fiona Maddox-RuizYes, and I'm proud of how fast it was. Seven days. That was before my time, of course, it was early September.

4. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorBut the law requires a thirty-day wait. Why seven?

5. FM

   Fiona Maddox-RuizThirty days is a recommendation from the previous people. This wedge on my desk is under glass, and it has been patient.

6. FM

   Fiona Maddox-RuizI don't have to be.

7. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe company says the fifty percent duty costs it an estimated forty million dollars a year, on about seventy-one million in Canadian cheese.

8. 

   Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorDoes that seem fair to a shopper?

9. FM

   Fiona Maddox-RuizThe shopper will see lower prices eventually. If prices go up, that was before my time too, and it's the importer's fault for importing.

10. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe importer's complaint calls the old trade law a relic that was impliedly repealed. So I'll ask again: why seven days?

11. FM

    Fiona Maddox-RuizThe White House will defend it vigorously. That was decided in a meeting, probably, which was before my time, by a committee I chair.

12. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorYou chair it?

13. FM

    Fiona Maddox-RuizChair is a strong word. I sit near it. I'm what they call a close observer.

14. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe company says it'll absorb the costs through the end of the year and calls that not sustainable.

15. 

    Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorLast question, Minister, and I rate your answers NOT.

16. FM

    Fiona Maddox-RuizFair. But look at the wedge under the dome, Chip. It waited thirty days. Nobody else did.