Harley in Europe’s sights

Harley fans may have to pay more for new bikes because the European Union is targeting the firm as part of a trade war with the U.S. EU bosses have included Harleys on a hit list of American products on which to impose import tariffs after the Americans slapped extra tax on European steel imports.

Harley was picked because the firm’s home state of Wisconsin is a key battleground for the presidential election in 2000 – and hitting them could hurt George Bush’s re-election chances. If Bush doesn’t change tack on the steel tariffs, or pay the EU some compensation, it will cost more to import the bikes, which could put the price up in showrooms.