NEMA Testifies on Additional Tariffs Proposed by USTR on China Products

Press Release Summary:

National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) testified on the additional tariffs proposed by Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on products made in china. NEMA strives to eliminate the barriers to international trade such as tariffs, quotas and technical regulations. The USTR administration is planning to levy 10 or 25 percent additional tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods. The association urges USTR to minimize collateral damage on NEMA members by imposing narrowly targeted and time-limited tariffs.


Original Press Release:

NEMA Urges USTR to Hone China Tariffs with Narrow Targets and Time Limits

ROSSLYN, Va., August 22, 2018—On August 21, the National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) testified on behalf of its Member companies that would be materially affected by additional tariffs proposed by the Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on products made in China. The Administration is considering whether to place 10 or 25 percent additional tariffs on $200 billion in Chinese goods, of which $18 billion are of direct interest to NEMA Member companies, in its efforts to bring about changes in China’s intellectual property and industrial policies and practices.

“The Administration has proposed additional tariffs, citing Beijing’s retaliation against U.S. shipments and failure to address U.S. complaints about discriminatory intellectual property practices and predatory industrial development planning,” said NEMA President and CEO Kevin J. Cosgriff. “NEMA supports USTR actions to defend markets from unfair practices, but strongly urges USTR to minimize collateral damage on NEMA Members by ensuring that any tariffs imposed are narrowly targeted and time-limited.”

“NEMA agrees with the Administration’s intent to pursue and produce negotiated outcomes that restore and, whenever possible, advance market openness and fairness,” Cosgriff concluded. “We encourage U.S.-China discussions in Washington, DC, this week to earnestly construct a path toward those outcomes.”

The $200 billion list of products now under consideration follows on tariffs that went into effect on July 6 on $34 billion shipments – including more than 100 electrical and medical imaging products and inputs imported from China – as well as tariffs scheduled to take effect August 23 on $16 billion in shipments that include more than 30 additional electroindustry products.

NEMA is developing additional written comments to be filed with USTR by September 6. NEMA believes in global free enterprise that is based on a solid legal infrastructure with due process to define and protect property rights as well as to ensure adherence to trade agreements. NEMA strives to eliminate barriers to international trade such as tariffs, quotas, and technical regulations that unfairly limit market access.

The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) represents nearly 350 electrical equipment and medical imaging manufacturers that make safe, reliable, and efficient products and systems. Our combined industries account for 360,000 American jobs in more than 7,000 facilities covering every state. Our industry produces $106 billion shipments of electrical equipment and medical imaging technologies per year with $36 billion exports.

Press contact: 
Tracy Cullen 
703-841-3282 
press@nema.org

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