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NMMA worked with several members of Congress, including several key boating advocates, on a letter issued to President Trump yesterday, urging him not to impose global tariffs on steel and aluminum imports. The letter follows Trump’s announcement last week to impose tariffs on imported steel and aluminum--a tariff that is separate from the Department of Commerce anti-dumping and countervailing investigation on common alloy aluminum sheet from China that NMMA has been fighting. 

"We are writing to express deep concern about the prospect of broad, global tariffs on aluminum and steel imports," House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady and 106 other Republicans said in a letter to Trump ahead of an expected announcement today or Friday.

Of note, the letter states, “If you do impose tariffs, key elements are necessary to minimize negative consequences. First, any relief should be narrow, excluding all fairly traded products and all products that do not pose a national security threat. Second, a robust exclusion process should be announced at the outset that allows U.S. companies to petition for and promptly obtain duty-free access for imports that are unavailable from U.S. sources or otherwise present extenuating circumstances. Third, existing contracts to purchase aluminum or steel should be grandfathered to allow duty-free imports and avoid disrupting the operation and finances of projects that are already budgeted and underway.”

NMMA will continue to work with the Administration on this issue and keep members updated. Contact VP of Federal and Legal Affairs, Nicole Vasilaros with questions – [email protected].