Year 26, Day 138
This week, the Northern Separatist States issued notice to the Southern states of the CIS that it would be issuing what it called “reciprocal tariffs” on all goods being imported from the south. Local government officials held a glamorous press conference, in which large screens dominated the background displaying the types of goods being hit with tariffs.
“For years we have suffered a trade deficit against the southern sectors of the CIS. They have been ripping us off, well not anymore!” exclaimed one official. Whilst tariffs are usually used against goods and services linked to industries, these tariffs have left economists puzzled.
The largest tariff issued at a staggering 84% were against the import of “Green Glasses”. Followed by various other tariffs against other shades of green. “Forest Green” received a 10% tariff, whilst “Lime Green” was hit with a 23.5% tariff. Other shades of green, such as “Spring Green”, “Emerald Green” and “Olive Green” were subjected to 25% tariffs, however “Cyan” and “Aqua”, shades commonly grouped on the fringes of the green color palette were spared any sort of tariff whatsoever.
“It appears that the Northern Separatist States really hate the color green, but taxing a color seems oddly impractical and rather specific, why not tax droids or ships or bacta? Now northern businesses are going to have to come up with new hues to replace anything that would have had the color green in it” said Tar Morden Economist Simon Green, who himself was subject to the tariffs for having the surname Green.
Northern businesses have been quietly weighing up the impact these tariffs will have on northern supply chains. So far there have been no vocal outcry on these changes, however warehouses from the central sectors have already reported orders being cancelled on anything with the name or color of green.
In light of this announcement, southern leaders have called emergency meetings to discuss how to tackle what they see as unjust taxes on their green industries. Some have even speculated reciprocal, reciprocal tariffs against the north in response until these tariffs against them have been removed. Local green party leaders have been unavailable for comment whilst this saga continues.