NAM Coalition to address government security and trade rules.
Press Release Summary:
The NAM Customs and Border Coalition will enable businesses and associations to review government rules/procedures on product export/import to address business concerns and ensure that commerce is not unnecessarily impeded. An immediate concern is the 10+2 rule. "We have managed to get some of the worst things out of the rule, but there are still some serious problems. We have to get them worked out before the final rule goes into effect June 1, 2009," said John Engler.
Original Press Release:
NAM Forms Customs and Border Coalition to Address Security and Trade Issues
Impediments To Trade Can Impose Undue Burdens on Manufacturing
WASHINGTON, D.C., December 23, 2008 - The National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) today announced formation of a new Customs and Border Coalition charged to make certain that business concerns are addressed when government agencies are developing security rules and procedures governing export and import of products.
"The NAM is launching the CBC because we see a critical need for a unified business voice on border issues," said NAM President and Chief Executive Officer John Engler. "We can have secure borders without shutting down commerce. It is imperative that our leaders understand that the U.S. economy is dependent upon international trade. In this era of deep economic instability and uncertainty, that dependence is more critical than ever."
The CBC will bring together individual businesses and associations to review programs and regulations issued by government agencies affecting transportation of manufactured products across the nation's borders, and to assess where changes are needed to assure commerce is not unnecessarily impeded. The CBC will work directly with government officials to make certain that new regulations provide for security concerns without undue economic disruption and costs to U.S. companies that may hamper their competitiveness. "We will work with government agencies to offer practical alternatives, whenever possible, for achieving our mutual security objectives without disrupting commercial traffic," Engler said.
Engler cited as an immediate issue of concern the controversial "10+2" rule proposed by Customs and Border Protection that requires importers to submit 10 types of information and shippers two new types prior to loading a container for shipping.
"As it was originally written, the 10+2 rule would have cost U.S. manufacturers as much as $20 billion annually, created huge delays and missed shipments in the global supply chain, risked shutting down U.S. production lines and actually worsened security by increasing the amount of time containers sat around available for tampering at foreign ports," Engler said. "We have managed to get some of the worst things out of the rule, but there are still some serious problems. We have to get them worked out before the final rule goes into effect June 1, 2009."
The 10+2 rule is one of a number of new initiatives affecting cross border commerce that will have tremendous impact on the ability of U.S. business to participate in international commerce and prosper amid intense international competition.
"With the new administration coming to Washington, we will have much work to do to make certain our concerns are reflected in government policies and regulations enacted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)," Engler said. "The CBC will have much work to do. We are looking to achieve the most broad-based membership in this Coalition as is possible.'
The National Association of Manufacturers is the nation's largest industrial trade association, representing small and large manufacturers in every industrial sector and in all 50 states. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the NAM has 11 additional offices across the country. Visit the NAM's award-winning web site at www.nam.org for more information about manufacturing and the economy.
