France and the United States are engaged in another food war, and this time it's not over fries. The French government was infuriated by the legacy that President George W. Bush implemented right before leaving office: enacting a colossal tax on France's prized Roquefort cheese. While he imposed a 100 percent import duty on many products from the European Union, the former US President singled out the pungent blue cheese for a 300 percent tariff. As a result, Americans will soon be unable to buy Roquefort. 
In a letter to newly inaugurated President Barack Obama, French parliament member Philippe Folliot called for the removal of the steep duty. If the high tariff doesn't change, he said, there may be unfortunate consequences. "Symbol versus symbol," he said. "Since the United States has decided to surtax one of the most ancient (cheese) appellations, I think that the French government, with the European Union, must think about a heavy specific tax on imports of Coca-Cola concentrates produced in the US."
I hope Obama reconsiders the tax on Roquefort, so the US and France can return to more diplomatic times. Americans can still enjoy their Roquefort and the French can drink all the Coke they want.
What do you think — does it seem fair for France to tax the US in retaliation for a large tariff on Roquefort?
Pedro Garcia
The EU has been refusing US beef for years and years, and has been to court for many years over this issue. The world courts allow US to retaliate for the same monitory amount that the US is losing because of the blockade of beef. So cheese, among other items are going to have a increased tariff.
1i can understand an increased tariff, but think about how this is just going to end up being a childish issue - and there's just going to be an endless debate on what they can tax more and more to punish each other. i think that if there's some type of tax/tariff then that's fine but to be unreasonable, then that's a different story.
2I think it is pretty stupid. How old are we?!
3Well, there is a good reason they refuse American beef. A lot of it is from grain or corn feed cattle from huge factory farms. They consider it inferior quality and more of a health hazard (the US as had a lot of tainted meat issues).
But I agree it's childish for us to impose such a huge tariff. I mean, seriously.
But I'm baised because I love me some imported cheese.
4I think it is typical Bush behavior. I love imported cheese too and this is ridiculous.
5Ummmm...
6Call me dumb but I don't get why the insane tax in the first place? It's cheese for frigs sake.
7I'm Dutch so my loyalties lie with Gouda... so go ahead and tax French cheese
8This is crazy, and really dumb when the economy is so crappy. Are people going to buy more US cheese now? Probably not. We live in a global economy so insane taxes are out of place.
9LOL Lildorthy! I do love a nice smoked Gouda.
10Smacks... make sure you pronounce Gouda the proper way when speaking... so it sounds like you're coughing up flem. It's hilarious when my Dad pronounces it!
11Oh brother, everyone says it is childish but it seems they are OK that the french tax the US products in retaliation. I think there is much more demand for coca cola products in Europe that this crazy cheese in the US. I agree with comment # 1 , and this isn't about Bush or typical Bush behavior. You all need to read into the history of why he did what he did before blurting stuff out!
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