NEMA Presses Trump Administration to Abate Damage From Tariffs
The National Electrical Manufacturers Association says broader market access fosters innovation, productivity and growth.
“NEMA Members have remained competitive in the open global economy of the 21st century in part by investing in extensive international supply chains based on comparative advantages,” said NEMA President and CEO Kevin J. Cosgriff.
ROSSLYN, Va. — The National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) testified today on behalf of its member companies that would be materially affected by additional 25% tariffs proposed by the Trump administration, supplementing the existing tariffs on more than 100 electrical and medical imaging products and inputs imported from China.
On June 20, the Office of U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) issued for public comment and testimony a list of 284 products from China, representing a value of $16 billion that could face 25% tariffs in order to compel a change in Beijing’s intellectual property and industrial policies. Of those products, at least 30 are of direct interest to NEMA members, according to an announcement.
“NEMA Members have remained competitive in the open global economy of the 21st century in part by investing in extensive international supply chains based on comparative advantages,” NEMA President and CEO Kevin J. Cosgriff said in testimony to USTR. “Broader market access has fostered innovation, productivity, and growth opportunities for manufacturers, enabling them to service a larger, more diverse customer base and tap the highest quality inputs. These developments have benefitted consumers in the United States and around the world.”
Yet the benefits of openness to international trade are diminished to the extent that trading partners violate internationally agreed trade rules and norms, Cosgriff concluded. “So NEMA supports USTR actions to defend markets from unfair practices. We would suggest that steps taken should minimize collateral damage associated with higher tariffs and be narrowly targeted and time-limited so as to produce negotiated outcomes that restore and, whenever possible, advance openness and fairness. If the purpose of these tariffs is to get the other party to the negotiating table, our industry for one would like to know when those negotiations are to begin.”
Should the 25% tariffs be implemented as proposed on the additional products and inputs, they will represent a tax increase on U.S. manufacturers and their industrial, commercial and residential customers valued at about $500 million, added NEMA Director for Trade and Commercial Affairs Craig Updyke in testimony to USTR.
“These tariffs would be in addition to the $2 billion in U.S. tariffs implemented on July 6 on approximately 100 types of NEMA-scope products and inputs,” he said.
NEMA states it believes in the global free enterprise based on a solid legal infrastructure with due process to define and protect property rights as well as to ensure adherence to trade agreements. The association says it strives to eliminate barriers to international trade such as tariffs, quotas and technical regulations that unfairly limit market access.
NEMA’s full written comments are available here.
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